Our recent panel gathered three powerful activists from Myanmar who continue to fight for freedom through their art and public engagement: our founders Simon Oo and Mun Mun. The conversation was moderated by Pernilla Nordqvist, PhD candidate at the University of Gothenburg.

Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, Myanmar has been plunged into violence, censorship, and a full-scale civil war. Press freedom has nearly collapsed, and the junta continues to silence voices and restrict access to information. In the midst of this repression, these activists use creativity as their tool for resistance.

Through music, they highlight human rights abuses, preserve stories that the junta tries to erase, and keep the hope for democracy alive. During the discussion, they shared personal experiences, reflections on the power of culture in times of crisis, and the responsibility of artists to stand with their people.

Their message was strong, clear, and deeply moving: even when darkness closes in, the fight for justice and freedom does not stop.