Myanmar’s all-too-familiar litter problem was thrown into stark relief by the ostensible glitz and glamor of the 67th annual Myanmar Academy Awards on Saturday after images surfaced online of the trashy aftermath of the industry celebration.
The photos of the red carpet venue of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization-hosted ceremony showed a litter-strewn wasteland of empty water bottles, ravaged fast food boxes, drained instant noodle cups, half-crushed cans, discarded drinking vessels, and a veritable snow of crumpled paper napkins.
Netizens have since weighed in on the now-viral post with 5,000 “likes” and 10,000 shares, debating on whether or not it was the venue’s responsibility to clean up after its guests, and lamenting the apparent lack of manners, even among Myanmar’s rich and famous.
“The organizers don’t know what they’re doing, it’s not the litterer’s fault. They should have bags where they can throw away their trash,” Facebook user Khin Lay said, only to be challenged by fellow user Thwe Moe Nwe, who pointed to a photograph showing that attendees were actually given bags that could have easily doubled as trash bins.
“They gave food and snacks in these bags. If they had discipline, they would have thrown [the trash] in these bags. They didn’t even need to get up and throw it in a trash can from where they were sitting,” Nwe said.
Saturday’s awards saw Shwe Kyar, or Golden Lotus, nearly sweep the major categories, claiming awards for Best Screenplay, Best Film, Best Editing, and Best Leading Actress. Best Director went to Aww Ra Tha, in his first ever Academy win, for his film Mone Swel, or Clinging to Hate. Thu Htoo San took home Best Leading Actor for his role in Mhaw Win Taman Kyar, or Weretiger.
State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was also on hand to deliver a speech, albeit one that apparently did not mention placing one’s refuse in the properly marked receptacle.
Meanwhile, the outrage threatened to overshadow the accolades, as images of the wrecked venue circulated rapidly on social media.
Indeed, the event and its aftermath unfortunately coincided with the global, social media-driven anti-litter initiative the #CleanUpChallenge, as well as Myanmar’s own nationwide effort to clean up trash in major cities. The movement has seen thousands of volunteers clearing back alleys, main thoroughfares, and even creeks across Yangon.
The Clean Yangon group reshared the images of the Academy Awards litter on their Facebook page, with the simple caption: “The aftermath of yesterday’s Academy Awards: How did this happen?”
