Burmese Days 2023

The impact of the British colonial period on Burmese culture led to confusion of Burmese identity, which continues to affect the cultural understanding and social participation of the younger generation in Myanmar.

Orwell's "Burmese Days" reveals the profound impact of the British colonial period on Myanmar. The cultural shock during the colonial era led to a confusion of Burmese identity, a predicament that continues to influence the cultural understanding and social participation of the younger generation.

The military coup in 2021 marked a new chapter in contemporary Myanmar history, causing significant upheaval for the younger generation. The coup resulted in social turmoil, information lockdown, and forced young people to navigate political and societal pressures for survival. This political upheaval deepened their desire for freedom and democracy, while also heightening their awareness of political uncertainty.

In the aftermath of colonial history and prolonged internal conflicts, the younger generation is on a quest for their national identity. They strive to strike a balance between preserving traditional culture and embracing modern changes. The coup has ignited a sense of responsibility for the nation and community, prompting the younger generation to focus more on national unity and social justice.

In 2023, I returned to Bin woo lwin, Myanmar, a northern town where Orwell once worked and lived. Armed with a script, I sought out young workers on a farm.

The script was simple: a series of misunderstandings and accumulated conflicts turned what should have been a harmonious farm into chaos. Workers no longer saw each other as comrades but as enemies. The peace of the farm was shattered, and young lives descended into the abyss of unwarranted suspicion.

In this once tranquil land, young farmworkers found themselves immersed in a mire of distrust and violence. The exaggerated story reflected the fragility of society and human vulnerability, illustrating how people lose themselves in times of uncertainty.

Although we couldn't communicate directly through language, we started with me setting the scenes, determining positions, finding props, demonstrating actions and expressions. Eventually, the workers took the initiative to perform, transitioning from restraint to excitement, and even to a certain level of madness... until darkness forced us to halt.

The farm was only 30 miles away from the nearest conflict zone in Northern Myanmar. Yet, amidst the blurred lines between reality and fiction, they and I were immersed in a theater that transcended wars and, to some extent, Myanmar itself.