Myanmar – State Of Uncertainty at Willy-Brandt-Haus

Photography exhibition highlights resilience and repression in Myanmar

August 22nd, 2025
Luisa Silva, News from Vienna
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The Friends of the Willy Brandt House are presenting the exhibition “Myanmar – State of Uncertainty” at the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin, on view until 21 September 2025. The exhibition brings together works by photographers Wolfgang Bellwinkel, Nora Bibel and Vincent Haiges, offering a multifaceted view on Myanmar’s fragile political situation and the daily lives of its people under repression.

Bellwinkel’s series Vast Land explores Myanmar’s three largest cities, portraying them as stages where history and politics intersect with everyday life. Bibel’s Myanmar’s Driving Force turns its focus to civil society activists, presenting them as essential agents of transformation despite constant threats and limitations. Haiges’s The Revolution Takes a Little Longer, captured in May 2025, follows rebel and resistance groups in conflict zones, creating an immediate and powerful record of the country’s struggles. Together, the three series construct a visual narrative of resilience, hope, and the heavy cost of political instability.

The Friends of the Willy Brandt House, founded in 1996, organize cultural and political programs with the goal of fostering dialogue between Germany and the world. By hosting Myanmar – State of Uncertainty, the association seeks to strengthen awareness of Myanmar’s ongoing crisis among German and international audiences, while also highlighting the role of art as a tool of cultural diplomacy. Exhibitions at the Willy-Brandt-Haus frequently combine artistic expression with pressing political issues, positioning the venue as a bridge between culture and international relations.

This exhibition underscores Berlin’s continued engagement with global struggles for democracy and human rights. By giving visibility to Myanmar’s situation through contemporary photography, the Friends of the Willy Brandt House contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the country today and emphasize the role of cultural institutions in maintaining dialogue across borders.

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