Waziya Cinema
| Waziya Cinema | |
|---|---|
ဝဇီယာရုပ်ရှင်ရုံ | |
  Location in Yangon, Myanmar | |
| Former names | New Excelsior Theatre |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Address | 327/329 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Yangon, Myanmar |
| Coordinates | 16°46′42″N 96°09′32″E / 16.7783°N 96.1589°E |
| Completed | 1920s |
| Owner | Myanmar Motion Picture Organization |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Unknown |
The Waziya Cinema (Burmese: ဝဇီယာရုပ်ရှင်ရုံ; formerly known as the New Excelsior Theatre) is the oldest surviving cinema in Yangon, Myanmar. Built in the 1920s, it stands as a prominent example of Beaux-Arts architecture and is the last remaining theater from the city's historic "Cinema Row" on Bogyoke Aung San Road. Located near the Yangon Central Railway Station, the cinema has played a significant role in Myanmar's cultural and cinematic history.
History
[edit]Originally constructed in the 1920s as the New Excelsior Theatre, the building served as a live performance venue during the British colonial era.[1] As the popularity of film grew, it was converted into a cinema hall.[1] In 1931, the cinema hosted Douglas Fairbanks, a Hollywood actor.[2] It was renamed A-1 Cinema in 1947.[3] During the mid-20th century, Myanmar's film industry was among the most prolific in Southeast Asia, with numerous cinemas operating in Yangon.[1] The Waziya Cinema, as part of the once-thriving Cinema Row, was central to this cultural boom.[1][2]
In 1964, after it was nationalised by the Burma Socialist Programme Party-led government, the theater was renamed Waziya Cinema.[1] It reverted to a live theater in 1985 and returned to cinema use in 1999 when the Ministry of Information leased it to the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization (MMPO).[1]
Restoration efforts
[edit]In recent years, plans have been initiated to restore the Waziya Cinema. The Yangon Heritage Trust, in collaboration with the MMPO and supported by the U.S. Embassy, aims to renovate the building into a modern cinema and cultural center, complete with state-of-the-art digital audiovisual equipment.[2] The estimated cost of the project ranges between $3.5 million and $7 million.[2] As of 2025, the renovation was being led by the Ministry of Information.[4]
Architecture
[edit]The Waziya Cinema is a notable example of Beaux-Arts architecture in Southeast Asia.[1] Its façade features imposing white and gilded Ionic columns supporting a portico, beneath which movie posters are displayed.[1] The portico's roof doubles as a terrace on the first floor, leading to an area lined with leather folding seats.[1] The ground floor lobby retains original teak paneling and grand wooden doors.[1] The projection room has historically doubled as the living quarters for the owner's family.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Waziya Cinema – Architectural Guide: Yangon". Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ a b c d Solomon, Feliz (2016-03-03). "Saving the crown jewel of 'cinema row'". Frontier Myanmar. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Waziya Cinema to be used as a place for artistic creation". One News Myanmar. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Preparations under way upgrading Waziya Cinema to state-of-the-art theatre". npnewsmm.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.