1 April
The Secretariat recently announced the launch of its cultural wing in partnership with culture entrepreneur Ivan Pun’s initiative TS1. Located in the southern wing of The Secretariat, TS1 will bring in the works of both local and international artists to the heart of Yangon, creating an interactive space aimed at families, students and the general public.
TS1 will lead the overall artistic vision and direction and will be soon appoint a Director of the project with specific responsibilities of overseeing the operations and exhibitions. The team will also work closely with the Cultural team at The Secretariat to ensure alignment in the programme and content curation.
The Secretariat is currently undergoing an ambitious restoration and will gradually be opening its premises in phases to the public. When fully restored, the iconic building aims to become an epicenter of culture and a new public space where people will gather in the heart of downtown.
With its rich heritage and important place in Myanmar history, the Secretariat is well placed to start a new chapter and conversation in Myanmar modern history, culture and art. While it continues to memorialize Myanmar’s past, the Secretariat also aims to give locals, artists and participants a chance to create their own stories and heritage for the next generation.
The new cultural wing will fulfill a much-needed unmet need in Yangon and in the country. Having greater exposure to culture and arts has proven to benefit many communities, as arts and culture is known to promote well being and enhance the quality of life for individuals and societies. Children and students will also greatly benefit from arts and culture, through the ability to develop critical skills through improved learning, creating thinking and overall cognitive acceleration.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome TS1 to the Secretariat project. TS1 and The Secretariat share a common vision in wanting to make arts and culture more accessible and fun to everyone. As our country develops economically, arts and culture needs to develop alongside so that we cultivate a well-rounded and enlightened community,” said Dr Maung Maung Thein, Chairman of the Secretariat Conservation Trust.
Ivan Pun, founder of PUN + PROJECTS and TS1, is excited about the potential that the permanent space at The Secretariat offers. “The Secretariat holds such an important place in the history of Myanmar. Currently, the public learns about Martyrs’ day on one specific day of the year. With a wide spectrum of content, experiences and evets at our disposal, we wanted to make this a public space that is accessible to everyone to learn about our country’s rich cultural offerings, from the past, present and future. In many ways, Myanmar’s story has just begun, and we wanted the Secretariat to be the starting point at which it begins. We are thrilled to have our new home at The Secretariat. We look forward to using this space as a powerful vehicle to unleash Myanmar’s creative spirit,” Pun said. —GNLM
