From Burma to Myanmar.

The country name Burma is likely to derive from the pronunciation "Bamar" of the written form "Myanmar", which can be found as early as 1235 AD on stone inscriptions. On 18 june 1989, the Junta enacted a law stating that from that day, the name of the nation in english would be the "Union of Myanmar" instead of "Union of Burma".The act also ordered name changes in english for some of the ethnic groups, states, regions, rivers and more. The united Nations recognized the name change of the country from Burma to Myanmar, as did all Asian countries, but a few Western nations such as UK and the United States continued to use Burma, politicizing the issue. Actually... Myanmar would still be Myanmar even if it were known by any other name : a wonderland inhabited by smiling, friendly people who live amid stunning natural beauty and magnificent creations of humanity.  from Dr Thaw Kaung, 7 days in Myanmar.

Since 2007, we have been touring Myanmar in search of beautiful crafts, and meeting our friends. Many of them are artists to whom we gave early opportunity to exhibit their work while they were still censored in their country, in collaboration with River Gallery in Yangon. Amitiés to Than Kyaw htay, Htein lin, Khin Zaw Latt, Ohmar Than, Soe Soe Labutta, Kyaw Soe, Chuu Way Nyein, Sue Htet Aung, Kaung Kyaw Khine, K Kyaw, S Moe Z, Myat Co... We also attend the Yangon Photo Festival every year as a sponsor or as a spectator. Always fascinating.