Myanmar to hold peace music festival to support national rec

YANGON, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is making preparations for a nationwide and months-long Peace Music Festival starting the first week of July to support the country's national reconciliation and peace efforts, a statement of the Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) said Sunday.

The Peace Music Festival, jointly organized by the MRTV, Forever Group and Shwe Than Lwin Co, comprises singing competitions for the best peace-related songs.

The competitions will be held in three stages in 10 cities including Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.

During the final stage set for Yangon, 10 selected songs for 10 contestants to sing will be composed by noted composers and the last three winners will receive the largest prizes -- 30 million kyats (20,000 U.S. dollars) for the first prize, 20 million kyats for the second prize and 10 million kyats for the third prize.

Besides, seven consolation prizes are reserved with 3 million kyats each, the report added.