Stitches of Dissent

This public event in Berlin invites engagement with the lived experiences of Myanmar’s garment workers, activists, and communities who continue to organize under immense risk. Centering on themes of collective resilience, labor struggle, and civil disobedience, the evening sews together political reflection, storytelling, and cinematic calls to resistance. 

As Myanmar plunges deeper into a political and humanitarian crisis following the 2021 military coup, Stitches of Dissent offers a powerful space to listen, witness, and stand in solidarity with those resisting authoritarian violence. From the factory floor to the frontlines of protest, this evening brings together the lived realities of garment workers, artists, and activists who continue to organize under extreme repression and surveillance. 

Through a photo exhibition by Myanmar artists, film, and dialogue, Stitches of Dissent stitches together threads of struggle and survival—an intimate and urgent reflection on labor resistance, civil disobedience, and the enduring power of community in the face of oppression. Join us on 13 June 2025 to engage critically and empathetically with the stories being shared–stories of courage, displacement, grief, and relentless hope in Myanmar. The entrance is free of charge, yet donations are highly appreciated, since all proceeds will be forwarded to a Myanmar non-profit organization distributing humanitarian aid. 

PROGRAM

17:00   –    Reception & Guided Photo Exhibition  
  
17:25   –    Opening Remarks 
  
17:30   –    Talk: Quo vadis Myanmar? Conflict, Quake, and Concerns by Richard Takkun 
 
This talk offers a critical yet concise examination of the socio-political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar following the military coup on February 1, 2021, tracing the military takeover, collapse of democratic institutions, and rise of armed resistance and civil war. It also examines the compounded humanitarian toll of widespread violence, mass displacement, and a recent devastating earthquake.   

18:45   –     Short Break & Exhibition Viewing  

19:00   –    Film Screening: MA – Cry of Silence (2023), directed by The Maw Naing   
Set in post-coup Yangon and inspired by the historic women-led labor strikes of 2012, the film captures both the fragility and the resilience of Myanmar’s working class in the face of authoritarian violence.
Language: Burmese with English subtitles | Duration: 74 minutes  

 20:15   –    Q&A session