On 24 August 2014, the “ASEAN Gourmet Festival” is launched in Yangon to celebrate the 47th Anniversary of ASEAN.  This cultural event was a joint collaboration of the Myanmar ASEAN Women’s Friendship Association (MAWFA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, and the embassies of ASEAN Member States in Yangon.

 

               It is the 1stASEAN Gourmet Festival in Myanmar,specially organized to mark the celebration of ASEAN. This food festival, held at Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon during 24-29 August 2014, featuresthe signature dishes and delicacies carefully selected and specially prepared for this special event.  

 

               The opening lunch was presided over by Daw Lynn Lynn Tin, spouse of H.E. U WunnaMaungLwin, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, as the President of MAWFA.  Also present were H.E. U Thant Kyaw, Deputy Foreign Minister,U Aung Lynn, Director-General of ASEAN Department, MAWFA Executive Members and Patrons, H.E. Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand, and Embassies officials and their spouses, as well as the ASEAN Community in Myanmar.

 

               This event is not only a forum for cultural exchange through culinary delights, but also through traditional dances and songs, as well as exhibition of handicrafts from all 10 ASEAN countries.  In order to spice up the happy mood, the participants were excited by the lucky draws with special prizes of art pieces and quality products, contributed by each embassy.  Thanks to the Thai companies doing business in Myanmar,they were taking part by contributing their products and services for lucky draw prizes. Sponsors include Bangkok Airways, NOK Air, Giffarine, NemitaSpa by Leelawadee,Nacha Spa, and Bangkok Kitchen.

 

               An event like this is not a mere social gathering among the ASEAN Community, but was also a forum to further promote cultural exchange and friendship among peoples of diverse backgrounds with shared vision for a single community.