The grand but weary-looking Government Central Press building received the latest “blue plaque” from the Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT) over the weekend.
Looking out over the corner of Thein Pyu and Anawratha, the red-brick structure, recognizable by its tall arched entrance, is more than 100 years old, YHT said in a statement. It was completed in 1912.
In the colonial era, the building was used to distribute government stationary and as a printing house. After independence in 1948 it was renamed Central Press and later served as Myanmar’s Ministry of Information, which still has a presence there today.
The blue plaque, part of YHT’s project to commemorate historic landmarks in Yangon, was unveiled at a ceremony in front of the building on Sunday.
According to the preservationist group’s statement, there are also plans to renovate the building and turn it into a “hub” for publishers and booksellers.
YHT has installed the blue plaques at six other historic structures in the Yangon, including City Hall, the Armenian Church and the Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank.
Photo / Facebook / Yangon Heritage Trust
Reader Interactions