Rakhine Short Story Workshop
And so it ends. After 11 months, 9 workshops, 7 ethnic states, 12 languages, 16 ethnic minority groups, 8 live literature nights, over 100 participants, over 50 short stories collected (so far) the final Hidden Words, Hidden Worlds workshop took place last week. Due to security concerns in Rakhine state, unfortunately, we had to move the Rakhine workshop to Yangon. But with the support of the Rakhine Culture and Literature Association, we were able to bring participants to Yangon from Mrauk U, Minbya, Kyaukphyu and Bonnagyun Townships instead.
Two ethnic Rakhine writers led the workshop. Former headmaster Saw Khet, who has won the National Literature award and over 10 Sarpay Beikmann awards. Former librarian, Phoe Kyawt, who has also won a National Literature Award and the Sarpay Beikmann 5 times. They were joined by celebrated short story writer, writer Mie Chan Wai, another National Literature Award winner.
The workshop was held in the new Pen Myanmar centre with a small live literature night at the end.
Now that all the workshops have finished, the next stage is to collect, translate and edit the short stories for a book launch next March at our ethnic minority literature conference.