Myanmar celebrates 2013 with its first public New Year countdown
A view of birds scattering as New Year’s fireworks go off near the Shwe Da Gon pagoda at Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon on December 31, 2012. Some 50,000 people were expected to gather at the revered golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon for the city’s first public countdown to the New Year and fireworks.
After many years of military rule, Myanmar is holding its first public New Year countdown to ring in 2013.
According to the Associated Press, between 50,000 and 90,000 are expected to attend the celebration at a large field in Yangon.
"This is very exciting and also our first experience in celebrating the New Year at a big countdown gathering. We feel like we are in a different world," said Yu Thawda, a university student who came to the public celebration with three of her friends.
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Before this year's countdown went public, New Year's Eve was reserved for private parties and celebrations inside hotels, the AP continued. The military regime reserved grand firework displays to honor Armed Forces Day.