Quick Search the Primary & Secondary Catalogs

Find:
Search Keywords Search Titles Search Authors Search Subjects Search Series
Advanced Search

Thursday 26 April 2012

Who is Zarganar? Someone you will meet....

Monday, April 30th, at 3 PM all teachers are invited to the Secondary Library to end our Professional Development Day with refreshments and a short presentation by Zarganar, a famous political comedian from Burma. 


Zarganar is not only a well known in Burma for his satires, but also in the international political and comedian community for his struggle for freedom of expression, e.g., after criticizing the Burmese government's handling of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, he was given a 35-year sentence in prison, though thankfully he was released last October.

Here is a short clip of Liam Neeson introducing him in March 2012 at The Secret Policeman's Ball in the UK, an Amnesty International event:



He chose the name Zarganar, which means "tweezer," because of the Burmese saying:  "If you have any strand of fear, pull it out with zarganar."  As he is also a dentist by training, his pseudonym suggests someone who intends to open the mouth of people shut because of political oppression.

Here is more information about him, sent to me by Thet, the parent who arranged this special visit for us.  (She has two sons in primary -- Justin (3LoW) and Aaron (1GSt).)

He was jailed officially as well as detained unofficially many times and spent a total of 11 years in prison for making jokes about the problems under the military regime.
He fought for freedom of expression and holds the motto of "forgive but don't forget."


In 1991, the Fund for Free Expression, part of the Human Rights Watch organization, awarded him a Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett Grant. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarganar
In 2008, he was awarded the Freedom to Create Prize for Imprisoned Artists. Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience and called for his immediate release.
In May 2011, Zarganar was awarded Honorary Life Membership in Equity, the UK performers' union, in recognition of his struggle for artistic freedom in Burma.


People like Hillary Clinton and William Hague called on him to discuss political reforms in Burma during their visits to the country.


You can easily do a Google search about him but for a quick easy reference please visit the links below.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarganar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE_jIfut-8k (Zaganar gave speech at a recent Amnesty International's "Secret Policeman Ball")
http://getmoresitetraffic.com/news/Zarganar.html (compilation of articles about him)
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/111225/zarganar-burma-comedian-dissident (An article on him by Global Post, written after his recent release)
Zarganar has been featured in This Prison Where I Live, a documentary film by British filmmaker Rex Bloomstein and German comedian Michael Mittermeier, who had traveled secretly to Burma to make the film.
Parts of "This Prison Where I Live"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqgpkTTarPA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECanPO3EtZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsu9WznApKY&feature=related

Photo via Equity article on Zarganar's release from political prison in October 2011.