In Search of Dignity, exhibition of Günter Pfannmüller and Wilhelm Klein (German photographer and writer), made its first appearance in Myanmar during this 9th edition of the Yangon Photo Festival. On the fence of Maha Bandula Park, at the heart of the city, the passers-by were able to admire about forty portraits illustrating the country’s ethnic diversity: Bamar Shan, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Padaung.
The exhibition fits into the context of the new process of peace. Seventy years ago, in February 1947, General Aung San, independence negotiator and father of Aung An Suu Kyi, signed, with leaders Shan, Kachin, and Chin, an agreement in Panglong which opened the path to a federal state gathering one hundred and thirty-five different ethnic groups. The assassination of Aung San and General Ne Win’s take over sounded the end of this agreement respecting diversity. Today, Burma is still victim of many violent, multi-ethnic conflicts. Aung San Suu Kyi is trying to restart the process by inviting leaders of the country’s minority groups to reunite for the “21st Century Panglong Conference”.
