A haven of art

"The reason for opening the Central Cultural Department is to provide a place for the sale and exhibition of paintings, sculptures, and other cultural artefacts. We will rent the ground floor for exhibitions and showrooms. Myanmar traditional performances and puppet shows can be staged at the mini-theatre," said Htay Lwin, deputy director of the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Culture.

"The main goal is to create a one-stop hub for local visitors and foreign tourists that are interested in the traditional arts. We will open this [department] together with the State Fine Arts School," he added.

"We have staged our art exhibition here since December 7. It's great that the Ministry of Culture has arranged for all of our arts to be brought together [under one roof] like this. It will become an attraction for both local and foreign visitors. They can observe ancient architectural styles while viewing paintings and Myanmar handicrafts," said Ma Thet of the Myanmar Art Centre art exhibition.

The Myanmar Art Centre has just mounted its first art exhibition at the palace. The rental rate is Ks 50,000 (US$50) per day and long-term rental rate is negotiable.

Chinese merchant Lim Chin Tsong built the Chin Tsong Palace in 1915 at a cost of over two million rupees. The five-storey building, a hybrid of Western and Eastern architectural styles, is adorned with a collection of British paintings. 

After his death in 1923, the building was passed down through various owners and was used as the headquarters of the All Burma Broadcasting Station under Japanese rule and refurbished as a hotel in the aftermath of World War II. It was then renamed as "Kanbawza Yeik Tha" in 1951.

Since 1988, the Ministry of Culture currently has maintained an office and the State Fine Arts School on the palace grounds.