59^th Mon National Day in North America

(Kaowao: February 20, 2006)

Calgary , Canada

  While the Mon National Day was celebrated worldwide, the Mons in Canada also celebrated with particular joy the founding of the Mon Kingdom with their Canadian hosts on a unusually, mild winter night in Canada on 18 February.

The planning and coordination of the successful event was jointly organized by the Mon National Day celebration committee, the Mon Women Organization, Mon Canadian Society, and the Mon Buddhist Temple, who all wanted to make sure that everyone would be happy and impressed with the evening’s performances held at the Southeast Community Association Center in Canada’s ‘cow town’, the city of Calgary’s nickname.

Supporters and friends came from across Canada , Quebec and British Columbia ; and others came up from the United States , Ohio and Indiana by bus and plane to Calgary , Alberta .

The family oriented event also garnered a lot of attention from friends and coworkers from the Calgary area who turned the event into a fun and merry evening that started at 7 p.m with the Master of Ceremony, Cham Toik, thanking everyone in attendance by starting the event with a Mon Than-Chat (Antiphonal, Group Chant). 

The happy hosts served up Mon foods, such as noodles and curries, and cultural performances were well received by all who marveled at the Mon women’s synchronized dance moves. A joint statement was read by Mehm Tala Rot from Bishop’s University of Quebec who traveled by plane and bus from eastern Canada . Outstanding politician and Alberta’s Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Mr. Wane Cao, Head of Asian Heritage Foundation along with Ms. Teresa Woopaw, and Cambodian community leaders also delivered solidarity messages, and last but not least, 78 year old, Nai Nyunt Tin, who came all the way from Vancouver by car to take part in the special event.  

Indiana , USA

The Mons in Fort Wayne celebrated 59th Mon National Day in the evening on February 11 where more than five hundred people crowded into the South Side High School of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The Mon National Day celebration was the biggest event for Mons in US.  For the Mon community here, the event is most exciting; with a united will to show their national pride.  They seemed eager and active for the participation to preserve their identity as a nation with a rich culture that once established kingdom and sovereignty.

The well-organized celebration attracted diverse nationalities of Laotian, Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese and many Americans.  There was a high sense of energy and passion; the ceremony was quite lively with merrymaking; featuring portraits and cooperation.  Ushers were busy with guiding the guests to the seats and people were graciously served.

At the entrance of South Side High School’ auditorium, the people were signing up at the reception desk, viewing photos of Mon culture, literature,  old palm leaf, books and posters, buying Mon shirts that featured the national symbol, and picking up information papers.  On the right side of the state, a big screen was playing the documentation of Mon refugees how they were suffered on the Burma-Thailand border.

The stage was colorfully lit; set in the background on the back wall was the large banner that read "The 59th Anniversary Mon National Day".  2 MCs Nai Michael Mon and Mi Pakao Rot announced the agendas both in English and Mon to the audience.  A group led by Nai Cheem Hongsar marched to the front of the stage, proudly holding up the national flag which commenced the celebration. All people stood up to salute the flag and, sang the Mon and American National Anthems. The chorus of "Reh Ni Gom" National Anthem filled up the hall when they hoisted up the Mon flag gradually.

Nai Mon Chai, the President of convening committee, explained the aim of MND followed by Nai Maha Mon’s welcoming message.  A statement was read by Mehm Rot Chan in the Mon and Mi Kyae Loon in English language.

"We have prepared for four months for this occasion" said Nai Htaw Ong.  The beautiful dancers performed gracefully in unison and were gratefully applauded several times.  Mon traditional foods were served in thirty-minute intervals.  "I like the Mon food", said an American guest.

“ US government won’t forget the ethnic issues in Burma ” said by Congressman Mark Souder when he gave a speech on Mon National Day. Mrs. Rosalie Hamilton, Fort Wayne Community School , delivered a keynote speech.  “Speaking about Mons , I have to rely on books of Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma that written by Ashley South and the Mon people without a country published by MUL” said Mrs. Rosalie.

While New-Generation Mon Music band later entertained the guests with Mon songs, children, men and women came to the front and danced together.

The Mons from Ohio , Illinois , Wisconsin and Chicago also traveled to Fort Wane to participate in this auspicious occasion. "I joined the event every year since it’s not only important to us but it’s enjoyable and brings us more solidarity” said Nai Sukha who came from Ohio State .