Suu Kyi makes another artful move

“Now is the time when we must all work together,” she told about 100 visual artists and writers who had gathered in Yangon on August 25 at Royal Rose restaurant, a venue that is a popular meeting spot for civil society groups.

More than 100 artists and writers joined the meeting where author Maung Moe Thu as the chair said the artists and writers have been on Suu Kyi’s side since the 88 uprising.

“Artists love freedom. We can create only if we’re free,” said author Maung Moe who chaired the meeting. He reminded those present that the struggle to achieve civilian rule has deep roots.

“We took to the streets against repression because we need freedom. We worked with Suu Kyi then, but we have yet to get freedom,” the poet, journalist and former political prisoner said, Hew was referring to the 1988 uprising. “Democracy remains invisible. We must all lend a hand to continue the campaign for democracy,” he added.

Suu Kyi said that a democratic transition required a revolution of the spirit. Establishing a democratic political system is insufficient and will not last unless it is based on a democractic culture, she said.

Artists and writers play a vital role because they influence culture and politics, and everyone is responsible to ensure the changes move in the right direction, she added.

It is undeniable that a failure of leadership cost Myanmar its democracy, but pointing fingers at the guiltiest parties is insufficient because every citizen was responsible for allowing the country to fall into the appalling political system that emerged, Suu Kyi said. 

“The year 2015 won’t decide where our country goes. I have often said this year will decide it. As I have said before, if we reach the right path in 2014 we will reach our goal in 2015. I’d like to request all of you to help the country reach the right path,” she said.

She underscored the importance of unity and peace, saying these could only be achieved by collaboration as the country makes its transition to democracy.

Negotiations are a critical component of democracy, she said. 

 

Author San San Nweh agreed with Suu Kyi’s message: “As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the present time is vital for the country.”

The former political prisoner urged cartoonists, writers and journalists to keep their focus on the most important issues and ignore trivial matters for the sake of the country’s transition to democracy.

She noted that when the public began speaking out against Article 59 (f) of the Constitution – which bars Suu Kyi from the presidency – talk switched to laws about safeguardig the nation. When people began speaking out against Section 436 – which gives the ruling party defacto control over amending the charter – unrest erupted in Mandalay, San San Nweh added.

Now that people are speaking out against the ruling party’s attempt to switch the electoral system to one that will use proportional representation to elect MPs, the news is becoming dominated by the search for the big bell, she added. She was referring to the new search for the fabled Bell of Dhammazedi, which has divers scouring riverbeds around Yangon and journalists from around the globe updating their every move. 

Suu Kyi said she agreed with San San Nweh. “Our country is now in a critical period. Everyone should join forces, but in the right way. As Sayama Daw San San Nweh said artists and writers have an enormous impact on whether issues are regarded as important or not,” Suu Kyi said. 

A cartoonist’s work can clearly illustrate what is important and what is trivial, she said, adding that a poet can do the same.