- Title: Myanmar pays respects to independence heroes on 70th Martyrs' Day
- Date: 19th July 2017
- Summary: YANGON, MYANMAR (JULY 19, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CEREMONY IN PROGRESS AT MARTYR'S MAUSOLEUM VARIOUS OF MYANMAR STATE COUNSELOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI WALKING ALONGSIDE PEOPLE HOLDING WREATHS SUU KYI HELPING TO ARRANGE WREATHS MEDIA FILMING, TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS SUU KYI BOWING TO FLOOR IN FRONT OF WREATHS SIGN ON WREATH READING (Burmese): "THE WREATH OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR" SIGN ON STRUCTURE READING (Burmese): "GENERAL AUNG SAN, 1915-1947" WREATHS IN FRONT OF MARTYR'S MAUSOLEUM PEOPLE GATHERING IN FRONT OF THE MINISTERS' BUILDING (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE SECRETARIAT BUILDING), WHERE SUU KYI'S FATHER, GENERAL AUNG SAN, WAS ASSASSINATED PEOPLE STANDING NEAR A MONUMENT ENGRAVED WITH THE NAMES OF THE FALLEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) UNIVERSITY STUDENT FROM SHAN STATE, AYE AYE MYINT, SAYING: "This is my first time experiencing Martyrs' Day here (in Yangon). I have never seen this many people queuing here before - I just noticed now that how important Martyrs' Day is to us. The day was commemorated at a small event in my hometown last year, I am happy and excited to visit (the events) here." ROSES PLACED AROUND MONUMENT PEOPLE STANDING AROUND MONUMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) MYANMAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP SME INSTITUTE FOUNDER, ZIN PHYO PAING, SAYING: "Today, Martyrs' Day, is an unforgettable day for all (of the fallen independence heroes), including General Aung San. We have to think about how to become good future leaders for our country by remembering and respecting the martyrs who were assassinated." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING NEAR SECRETARIAT BUILDING
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2017 08:13
- Keywords: Myanmar Martyrs' Day Aung San Suu Kyi independence day celebration
- Location: YANGON, MYANMAR
- City: YANGON, MYANMAR
- Country: Myanmar
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016QDU69X
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Myanmar marked the 70th anniversary of Martyrs' Day on Wednesday (July 19), the first commemoration of the national holiday dedicated to fallen independence heroes since the newly-elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi came to power.
Draped in black and white traditional Burmese costume, Suu Kyi paid her respects to her father, independence hero General Aung San, at the Martyr's Mausoleum in Yangon, the former capital.
People from around the country also visited the Ministers' Building, formerly known as the Secretariat Building, where Aung San was assassinated.
Aung San has remained a powerful force in Myanmar's politics in the 70 years since his death. His image has been used not only by Suu Kyi but also by her political rivals to garner legitimacy and popular support among a public that still largely reveres him. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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