by Kyaw Kyaw Tun and Khin Nyein Aye Than

Gitameit Music Centre, one of Yangon’s leading music schools, will host an arts and cultural exchange from December 3 to 9. Five foreign artists coming from as far afield as New York will work with local artists for a week. German theatre director Manual Lutgenhorst, Americans, singer Thomas Buckner and bass clarinetist Bohdan Hiulash, Thai dancer Pradit Prasartthong, and Hong Kong composer John Chen will be in Myanmar to share their respective artforms with local people.

Gitameit Music Centre has organized the event with sponsorship from the New York based Asian Cultural Council (ACC). According to Gitameit music teacher Kit Young, the ACC supports cultural exchange in the visual and performing arts between the United States and Asian countries. "Through this, the program aims to establish long-term relationships among artists in the world," she says. "This is also a cross-cultural exchange program. It aims to break down borders and sponsor understanding through art and creativity. It also aims to develop individual artist’s creative potential," she adds.

Local poet Nyein Way, who will participate in the workshop says, "we have never had this kind of workshop in which foreign artists have participated here. Artists [from around the world] need to get to know each other better. By discussing our art and ideas with each other, we can achieve cultural exchange."

During the workshops the artists gathered will use three of Nyein Way’s poems, entitled Night, Moon and Dance as inspiration to create a joint piece of performance art. The resulting work will be showcased to the public on December 8 and 9. Among the local artists invited to participate are well-known violinist U Tin Yi, taditional Myanmar orchestra player Myanmarpyi Kyauk Sein, performance artist San Oo, and Myanmar dancer Chan Tha who has been living in New York and arrived back in the country two weeks ago. "After listening to my poems, the musicians will compose music based on their interpretation of my poetry. Similarly, the dancers will use the poems as inspiration for their choreography," says Nyein Way.

The Gitameit choir will also take part under the lead of U Moe Naing, founder of the Gitameit Music Centre. U Moe Naing says he is particularly excited to be working with German director Manual Lutgenhorst who is well-known for his puppet and shadow plays. "He is a talented artist. His pieces are unusual and very well received. I am keen to see what he will come up with [for the final group performance]."

Performance artist San Oo is also thrilled to be taking part. "Gitameit invited me to join in this art exchange program. Working with the other artists will be very interesting," he says. Ms Young adds, "when the foreign participants arrive, we have to work with them on the performance. Different artists, different ideas and different artistic qualities… very exciting and very enjoyable."

The final performances on December 8 and 9 at 7pm are open public and admission is free. For more information contact the Gitameit Music Centre, 398C Banyadala Road, Tarmwe Township, Yangon, telephone number 549369.