Article

Celebrating ATOM’s Inclusive Culture and the Spirit of Tazaungdaing

15 Nov,2024 - Yangon | 2 mins read

Author: Ma Theingi Oo, Chief Financial Officer at ATOM

As the cool breeze of the season sets in, we welcome the Tazaungdaing Festival, a time when light shines brightly amidst the crisp November air. Tazaungdaing is an important festival in Myanmar, both culturally and religiously. It is often referred to as the "Festival of Lights" and takes place during the full moon of the Myanmar month of Tazaungmon, the eighth month of the Myanmar Calendar.

Tazaungdaing Traditions

When we think of Tazaungdaing, images of beautiful lights often come to mind, but the true essence of the festival goes much deeper. At its heart, Tazaungdaing is about fostering generosity and inclusive culture within our communities. It is a festival that encourages individuals to come together and celebrate shared cultural and religious traditions.  

No discussion of Tazaungdaing would be complete without mentioning the Kahtein offering, which is closely tied to the festival. These two celebrations go hand in hand, each contributing to a sense of belonging and inclusive culture. Both Tazaungdaing and Kahtein brings together people from all walks of life, encouraging acts of kindness and generosity, from donating to the less fortunate to sharing the joy of lighting up the night sky. Through these collective efforts, we strengthen our social connections and reinforce the values that bind us together.

Other beloved traditions during Tazaungdaing, such as the robe-weaving competition (matho thingan), Padetha Trees, Nate Ban Zay, Taunggyi’s Hot Air Balloon Festivals, and other celebrations also reflect these same values. Personally, my favourite Tazaungdaing activity is donating for the Padetha trees that symbolises community involvement, where individuals contribute what they can, whether in cash or in-kind.

Embracing Tazaungdaing Culture at ATOM

As one family, we also celebrate the spirit of Tazaungdaing with activities such as ATOM’s Tazaungdaing-Kahtein Donation Ceremony with ATOM employees and their families. While these celebrations are seasonal, the values they embody such as connection, generosity, and solidarity are something we carry with us throughout the year.

These values are deeply rooted in Myanmar’s culture, and at ATOM, we ensure they remain at the core of our workplace culture every day. We believe that the spirit of generosity that defines Tazaungdaing not only brings us closer together during the festival but also strengthens the bonds we share year-round.

As we celebrate the beauty of light and generosity this Tazaungdaing, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our valued customers, partners, employees, and stakeholders. This season reminds us of the power of togetherness, and we are incredibly grateful for the trust and collaboration we share with each of you.

May this Tazaungdaing Festival bring you peace, happiness, and prosperity, and may the light of this celebration guide us all toward beyond better opportunities as we continue to grow and succeed together.