January 2008

Lets take a look at our activities, achievements in 2007 and planned events in 2008.

• Aungzay Institute was incorporated  in March 2007in New York State, with generous pro bono assistance from a Washington based law firm.  They will continue to assist us in 2008 in submitting for a  501(c) 3 tax exempt status as a non profit cultural organization.

• We sucessfully held our first public Burmese Symposium "National Heritage : A Resource for Success" at Hunter College on Septmenber 15, 2007. An ethusiatic goup of friends, guests and participants numbering 65 attended the Symposium. 

The video recordings of the above Burmese Symposium in English language is available in DVD  Disc1 & DIsc 2 . Suggested contribution is $10.00 each . Total $20.00. Add  $4.60 for shipping and handling  

• Two resolutions were adopted at the Symposium:

To hold a Burmese Cultural dance, musical  evening around October 2008

To proceed with holding Online didscussions led by team leaders on History, Belef Systems, Culture and Literaature.

• Aungzay team visited Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art in Staten Island on November 19, 2007, and held friendly discussions for futre collaboration with Muesum's art curato Sarah Johnson and Executive Director Meg Ventrudo. An Aungzay team picinic visit is planned in the spring time 2008.

• Preliminary meeting to  implement the two resolutions was  held at Cosi Cafe on East 44th St, NYC

Transfering and teaching  culture, customs and language to Burmese children is planned to start in the spring of 2008 in one of the Queens Buddhist monastery. Interested parents with children, and volunteer teachers from parents, elders, youths are urgently needed. Please send email message at Aungzay website to volunteer

Team leadesr  to be selected   to take charge of  holding the  Burmese cultural evening  in September-October 2008.

• Discussions were held with Producer and Family Program Coordinator of Rubin Museum of Art representing the countries in the Himalaya region, for potential collaboration in the cultural preservation activities. The Museum is conveniently located at 150 West 17 Street, NYC. Aungzay team visit to this wonderful Museum will also be made in the summer 2008.

• Aungzay  "Wisdom of Elders " series of vdeo interviews made an interview of our patron Dr John H Badgley ( former curator of Cornell University) on 16 September 2007 at the Central Park. The DVD is now available to follow his interesting career which included research work in Upper Burma and collaboration with Rangoon University Central Library. 

Previous interviews in English language of our patrons Dr Nyi Nyi, U Thaw Kaung, and former ambassador to France U Thet Tun are also available. Suggested contribution is $10.00 each. Add  $4.60 for shipping and handling.

• To Promote and preserve our cultural heritage, we are Inviting writers and scholars for orginal articles, essays, including translations in both Burmese and English language in the field of History, Art, Architecture and Culture , Literature and Belief systems. Contact our website www.aungzay.org for details.

Join us in our many exciting projects and activities of Aungzay in 2008.

With Metta.

AungZay Team

January 2008