On February 1, 2024, – the third anniversary of the latest power grab by the Tatmadaw (as the Burmese military is called) –artists from Burma were joined by their Thai colleagues in a two-hour performance-art festival. Organized by the Thai-Myanmar Activists Network, the event was held at the popular tourist destination Tha Pae Gate, in the Thai northern city of Chiang Mai. Beyond entertainment, the songs, spoken word, and performances delivered potent messages that left hundreds of spectators deeply moved, some even to tears. “Art is a visible expression of what you feel and how you feel,” said Yadanar Win, a prominent Burmese performance artist. “At the same time, it also has the power to convey and trigger the emotions of the audience, serving as an awakening strategy to garner special attention.” AKT, a Chiang Mai-based Burmese activist, also said, “We refer to ourselves as ‘artivists,’ a combination of artists and activists, who use our art forms of activism in the anti-coup resistance and the Myanmar democracy movement.”

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