A symposium on the struggle against military rule in Myanmar, two years after the military coup.

This interdisciplinary symposium situates the ongoing revolution in Myanmar, which followed the 2021 military coup, in historical and political context. The event brings together researchers and scholars from the University of Vienna and Central European University, as well as intellectuals and activists from the Myanmar diaspora. We look forward to an open discussion accessible to the general public. 

 

Time and Venue:

Date: Monday, 17 April, 2023

Time: 13:00-17:00 (Afternoon Session)
           18:00-19:30 (Keynote and plenary panel)

Location: Alte Kapelle, University of Vienna Campus
                (Spitalgasse 2/4, Hof 2.8, 1090 Wien)

 

The keynote session and plenary panel, featuring Ma Thida (writer, activist, and former political prisoner), moderated by Johann Kneihs (Ö1), will take place from 18:00-19:30. The afternoon session, including lectures and a panel, will take place from 13:00-17:00. A reception will follow the keynote plenary session.  

The event will also be live streamed. Kindly register under the link in the top right corner for either in-person or online attendance.

 

Program

Afternoon

13:00 Welcome and Introduction (Rainer Einzenberger, University of Vienna, Member of editorial board Advances in Southeast Asian Studies)

13:15-14:15 Lecture I: Georg Bauer: “Achieving Historical Unity? Forming New Narratives through the Revolution”

14:30-15:45 Afternoon Panel

• Thurein Naing (Central European University): “Amyo, Batha, Sasana, and Political Buddhism in Myanmar: Origins and Continuities”

• Aung Zaw Myo (Central European University): “Queer Spaces in the Spring Revolution”

• Su Myat Wai Hlaing (Central European University): “Opportunities and Threats in Myanmar’s Spring Revolution”

16:00-17:00 Lecture II: Geoffrey Aung: “Revolution and Re-enchantment: The Past and Present of Myanmar’s Radical Tradition"

 

Evening

18:00 Keynote Session with Ma Thida (writer, activist, former political prisoner):

“Revolution Then and Now: Remembering 1988 in 2023”

18:30-19:30 Keynote Plenary Panel

Ma Thida

Nyein Chan May (Student, Activist, German Solidarity with Myanmar Democracy)

Geoffrey Aung

Georg Bauer

Moderator: Johann Kneihs (Ö1)

 

Afterwards, we invite you to an informal reception with the participants over drinks and fingerfood.

 

The symposium is generously supported by the

Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna

Department of History, University of Vienna

History of Human Rights and Democracy Research Focus

Doctoral School of Historical and Cultural Studies, University of Vienna