10 Nov 10 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
A Japanese journalist, who was detained while trying to slip across the Thai border, has been deported back to Thailand. Toru Yamaji, who works for the Tokyo-based AFP news agency, had been trying to cover the polling in the eastern border town Myawaddy, where deadly clashes between rebels and the army erupted the following day. The junta had banned international observers and foreign journalists from covering the 7 November election.
13 Oct 10 | Index Index, minipost
Unconfirmed reports suggest the ruling military junta in Burma plans to release of thousands of prisoners early to allow them to vote in November’s elections. The total number of detainees set for release is reportedly 11,000. It is not yet clear whether any of Burma’s 2,200 political prisoners will be freed. Detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been banned from running in the elections — the first in the country for 20 years — and there are fears that the voting process will be heavily controlled by the government. Under the new constitution some 25% of seats are guaranteed for the military.
12 Oct 10 | Events
These events represent the first ever multi-art form festival presenting contemporary and traditional work by Burmese artists and artists inspired by Burma. By bringing this work to a UK audience, we aim to widen the understanding of Burma beyond politics.
The Free Word Centre will be transformed by site specific installations, created in Burma by leading contemporary artist Po Po whose ideas will be realised by London based artists.
There will be an exhibition of painting, short films, video work and installations including work by Nyein Chan Su, Khin Maung Yin, Win Pe, Sun Myint, Chaw Ei Thein, Po Po, The Maw Naing, Kyaw Thu, Aye Ko, Wah Nu and Htein Lin.
The festival programme will be opened by London-based Burmese monks and will feature musicians Thxa Soe, Moe Naing and Kyauk Sein visiting from Burma, performance artists Moe Satt, also visiting from Burma, Hnin Wutyi Thaung and Htein Lin, film screenings of work by Lay Thida and The Maw Naing, a panel discussion featuring Nu Nu Yee, Wendy Law-Yone and Ruth Padel, dance by Ngeh Kaw and his family, and Burmese Theatre Workshop’s reworking of Richard Shannon’s play ‘The Lady of Burma’ for full cast and a cabaret night.
On Sunday we are presenting an open space seminar which asks the universal question What can art do?’ To close the festival, there will be a special performance by the Iuventus Quartet and a blessing by the monks.
We will also have our very own Burmese Tea Shop and will be serving delicious Burmese food.
For more information, including the programme of events, please see www.burmeseartsfestival.com where you will also find details of our fundraising auction.
To book tickets, please call 0207 3242 570 or email [email protected]
Free Word Centre
60, Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3GA
28 Jul 10 | News and features, United Kingdom
On 14 July, 87-year-old Burmese author Nan Nyunt Swe died — but his son Zarganar, one of the country’s most popular comedians, was unable to attend his funeral, and may not even have been informed of his death. Zarganar is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence for criticising the government¹s handling of the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. Not only that, but since 2008 he has been held in a prison so far from his home that it effectively cut him off from contact with his family. Just last month the authorities felt it necessary to forbid his family from travelling the 1500 km to visit him.
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