Simmering Under Ashes – Writing from Burma

Simmering Under Ashes is a collection of essays, poems, stories and articles written by Burmese journalists, writers and ordinary people. Published to commemorate both the 21st anniversary of the pro-democracy protests of 8 August 1988, and the 20th year since Aung San Suu Kyi was first imprisoned, it celebrates the struggle for freedom in Burma. It also calls attention to the complicity or indifference of the international community. These contributions tell us of the catastrophic human cost and absolute cruelty of the regime. They also remind us that we are all diminished by the continued denial of freedom to the people of Burma.

The booklet, Simmering Under Ashes (SUA), has been produced by the Article 19(*1) organisation to mark the 21^st anniversary of the 8-8-88 uprising.  Launched on 8^th August 2009, the publication contains poems, articles and presentations given over recent years by writers from Burma’s many ethnic groups on a range of key topics: Pro-Democracy Movement, Refugees and Exiles, Women, and Environment.  Readers of Burma Digest will recognise many familiar names from our regular contributors.  The title of the booklet comes from Zarganar, during an interview with Mizzima regarding the people’s feelings after the violent suppression of 2007.

Whilst we might have expected the works to be filled with anger and hatred of the regime, we find that they are all filled with a great sense of justice (or rather the injustice of the regime’s actions) and humanity; compassion for the suffering of people in Burma at the hands of the regime and their acolytes.  What also shines forth is the strength of hope and the conviction that the future holds the promise of a better life; democracy and liberty, where the people of Burma can ‘bathe in the light of freedom’.

The articles in this booklet are worth reading (or re-reading) to remind ourselves of the scope of the task ahead and the affirmative attitudes that will bring about positive change.  As one writer asks us; “Enjoy your freedom. Don’t be careless with it.”

My only minor criticism of SUA is that it is too short – just 56 pages.  There are many people from Burma who want their voices to be heard; those inside Burma are stifled by censorship and fear, those in exile may struggle to make a living or in finding a mainstream outlet.  Let us hope that there will be more works from Burma’s writers and artists to bring the voices and creativity of the pro-democracy, pro-liberty movement to a wider audience.

Simmering Under Ashes was produced as a short production run and is now only available to read directly from the Article 19 website.

*1           Article 19 is a campaigning organisation fighting for freedom of speech and freedom of opinion, as described in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Review by Taisamyone