Participation in Bagan Luyeechun Youth Camp, 2016

Every year, the Ministry of Education selects all-around outstanding youths (Luyeechun, in Burmese) from high schools all over the country. In late April, these selected youths from all 14 states and regions come together at youth camps in Bagan, Innlay, and Ngwe Saung. At these youth camps, they attend seminars, visit famous landmarks, excurse local culture and businesses, and share their different perspectives on local issues.

To become a Luyeechun, a student has to pass three-level: school-level, township-level, and district-level. In each level, he has to take written-tests in Myanmar, English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge, sit for a verbal interview, and compete in sports, which include 800-meter run, 100-meter sprint, push-ups, and standing long jump.

Htet Myet was selected as an all-around outstanding student (Luyeechun) of Western District, Yangon Region in 2016 for the first time and participated in Luyeechun Youth Camp in Bagan, Mandalay Region.

His brief account of his personal experience is as follows.

“After finishing 8th Standard, I was selected as an all-around outstanding student (Luyeechun) for the first time, thereby getting the chance to participate in Bagan Luyeechun Youth Camp.

In the early morning of April 28th, 2016, Luyeechuns from Lower Myanmar departed from Yangon to Mandalay where we arrived in late evening and stayed for a night. Next morning, we were assigned to different groups. I was in Group 7, which was composed of Luyeechuns from different regions, such as Yangon Region, Shan State,Bago Region, Rakhine State, Ayeyarwaddy Region, and others. After that, we visited Mahar Muni Buddha Image and Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace of Mandalay. Then, we started our journey to Bagan, which is situated about 180 km southwest of Mandalay.

On 1st of May, the opening ceremony of the camp was held and attended by Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung. The most exciting period of the ceremony was when Senior Luyeechuns awarded us with Luyeechun badges. The badge is in the form of a silver star with the national flag in the center. It is said that silver symbolizes loyalty, persistence, strong determination, and rightfulness. The star symbolizes hope and inspiration, or the leader of the future. At the moment when I wore the badge, I felt the spirit of Luyeechun overtook my mind and body, transforming me into a real Luyeechun.

During the camp, we met with Senior Luyeechuns, listened to their stories how they worked hard to succeed in their respective fields, and got the inspiration from them. We also visited some famous pagodas around Bagan, such as Shwezigone Pagoda, Ananda Temple, Dammayangyi Temple, Lawkananda Pagoda, and others. It was also interesting to look around and learn the history and arts of the golden era of Bagan in Bagan Archaeological Museum. We also visited to Mt. Popa, an oasis of the dry zone, which is about 60 km away from Bagan, to discover natural herbs growing there. Every night at the camp, we enjoyed traditional performances, dances, and puppet shows, which could not be seen easily in urbanized cities.

On 4th of May, the closing ceremony was held and we went back to our own regions in the next morning. Although it was tiresome to travel the dry zone during summer, the camp really transformed me into a real Luyeechun.”