Dr. Sasa: "Help us bring the dream of democracy to Myanmar through the power of art!"
The Artists Against Tyranny event last year kicked off with a special 2 hour virtual show featuring a diverse range of speakers, artists, poets, and live performances. Dr. Sasa opened the event, and here are his inspiring remarks.
“My dear friends. Thank you for inviting me to share a few words at this event organized by “Artists Against Tyranny.” I would especially like to thank the organizers, [names], for arranging the fundraiser and for inviting me to speak today at the flagship event of this wonderful campaign. I am looking forward to the rich program of speakers, performers and artists and I would like to remind everyone that in a few hours the online auction will begin and will continue for 48 hours until 8pm December 13th US Eastern Standard Time [check dates]. The proceeds will go to helping the Myanmar people in their ongoing struggle for freedom, democracy, and self-determination, so I strongly encourage you to check your local time and set a reminder so that you don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to support Myanmar and the Myanmar artistic community by purchasing stunning works of art.
Myanmar is home to numerous ethnic groups, each with their own unique culture and art. Art has been with us, inseparably tied to our identities as people since light first dawned on Myanmar. Amongst my own Chin people, there are dozens of tribes, each of which has their own traditional weaving patterns and designs. Such art reminds us who we are, and gives us a sense of home, identity, and hope for the future of our people. Art means something to all of us, and its value to humanity, especially in times of adversity, cannot be overstated. Today I speak to you during a time of great darkness and sadness for our country. Countless people in Myanmar are suffering at the hands of the murderous military, whose cruelty knows no bounds, and each day we mourn the death of new martyrs. It is not exaggeration to say that this is the darkest chapter in our nation's history. Yet the wonder of art is that it continues to give us hope. Art captures the very essence of the human soul and experience. It inspires in us great feeling and gifts us the ability to convey an emotional understanding that words alone could never do. In the darkest of times, art is a source of light. We must hold on to these small specks of light that can inspire joy in us and give hope for the future.
Since the coup, revolutionary art works have also become a vital part of our fight against the fascist tyranny of the Tatmadaw. Many young artists have created symbols of resistance and unity, such as the three-fingered salute or the flowers of the 2021 Spring Revolution. Demonstrators continue to find new creative forms of resistance, both online and offline. These symbols create a common identity for all of those who fight for freedom and democracy, and they inspire confidence that we will win this revolution. Today's events highlight the power of art in these difficult times. The goals of this project are to help preserve Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage and help raise of profile of talented Myanmar artists, to raise greater public awareness about the plight of Myanmar people and gain international solidarity for their struggle for democracy, and ultimately to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar people in need, including these artists and their families. I could not think of a more worthy cause, nor a more noble use of art.
So I ask you all, please help us in our on-going fight against the despicable military junta. This fight is for more than just democracy or our cultural heritage, it is for our basic freedom and right to live! We need the support of all of our friends around the world, from the international community, and from the wider Myanmar diaspora. Through unity, we are stronger than their bullets; this is why we must spread awareness around the world of the on-going atrocities happening every single day in Myanmar. Since art is a universal language, of beauty and love, it is the perfect tool for sharing our stories and building awareness. Moreover, proceeds from the auction will help support some of those who have suffered the most at the boot heel of the military, including internally displaced people who have languished through the recent monsoon season in jungles and improvised shelters in IDP camps. And so I urge you all once again, keep an eye on the the auction, purchase a piece if you can, and spread the word to help us to support the innocent civilians being hounded and beaten by the military, and help us bring the dream of democracy to Myanmar through the power of art.”