{"id":10321,"date":"2026-10-23T19:30:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/?p=10321"},"modified":"2026-10-23T19:30:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:00:05","slug":"maung-yit-social-landscapes-and-contemporary-experiences-for-building-a-new-nation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/2026\/10\/maung-yit-social-landscapes-and-contemporary-experiences-for-building-a-new-nation\/","title":{"rendered":"Maung Yit \u2014 Social Landscapes and Contemporary Experiences for Building a New Nation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Maung Yit \u2014 Social Landscapes and Contemporary Experiences for Building a New Nation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MoeMaKa \u2014 October 20, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have not been writing much lately. Since my main focus has been working as an editor and production manager, I have not had much time to turn toward literary and artistic creation. I have not even drawn cartoons. When I do write, it is mostly news articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, I feel encouraged because MoeMaKa now has quite a number of young, emerging literary and artistic writers. I also feel reassured that the people working in television media at m.CDM are mostly young people and members of the next generation. Their productions therefore do not carry the burden of outdated ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are living through the Spring Revolution, are we not? As a new generation struggles to build a modern new nation, I believe older generations like ours need to understand our proper place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we continue writing, speaking and lecturing only about \u201cthe old days\u201d and \u201cour time,\u201d I do not think we will escape the hell in which we now find ourselves. The historical experiences of older generations have not become worthless. What is needed is to combine them with the experiences of the younger generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving young people a genuine place does not simply mean publishing what they write. It also means being able to accept their different views and their voices when they criticize us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, I wrote that we need storytellers of the times. What I meant was that we need people who can look ahead and write for the future. I meant that we should not simply elaborate on what is already swirling around us in the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another piece, I wrote that Myanmar has long had writers who were ahead of their time. Looking at the arguments currently taking place in the United States over whether something is \u201cwoke\u201d or \u201cnot woke,\u201d I wrote that writers and teachers from our own country had already informed readers through progressive ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also highlighted the fact that our Union has many ethnic languages. Although people communicate mainly through Burmese, they continue to value and carry forward their own languages as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we work together to build a new nation, I once again find myself wondering what more needs to be said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time, I have been thinking about the importance of continuing to present the social landscapes and contemporary experiences of building a new nation through literary works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Spring Revolution began in 2021, I felt that the hearts of many young people had become hardened. I felt that their hearts had turned cold and firm as they tried to uproot the military dictatorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, poets put down their pens and took up arms. Teachers, doctors and civil servants abandoned their chalk, medical bags and files and joined the armed struggle. It seemed to me that taking up arms themselves had become their first priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, I do not want to blame them for allowing war and military victory to dominate their attention in literature, poetry and journalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We ourselves have been writing the \u201cMyanmar Spring Chronicle\u201d perspective articles for MoeMaKa almost every day. I feel that we have been portraying the landscape of Myanmar amid war news, political news and the flames of civil war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An editor in Myanmar and I have been working together on these articles for as long as the revolution has continued. Sometimes, the subjects available to write about seem to consist only of bombing, killing, death, blockades, arrests and torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We repeatedly became discouraged and depressed, wondering whether there was anything left to write about, and whether we could still find light, strength and steadfastness amid all of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, we have continued writing about Myanmar\u2019s daily landscape with determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although one might say that poets have plunged into the armed revolution, the poets who contribute to MoeMaKa continue to write and send us poems about the Spring landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a remarkable expression of humanity that, amid the flames of revolution, tragedy, anger and hatred, poets continue to write and send poems that give the people courage and strength, nourish their minds and help heal their physical and emotional pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We ourselves gain strength by reading their poems. We receive emotional healing from them. We are renewed and become new people again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have repeatedly expressed my gratitude to MoeMaKa editor and poet Khin Lun. Because he is there, poems come to him. MoeMaKa has been able to publish many poems written by poets living on the ground in Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their heartbeat is the heartbeat of Myanmar. Their rhythms are the rhythms and hopes of the people of Myanmar, are they not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poems cannot protect us from the bullets and blades of the enemy. But they are protective clothing and armor that keep our spirit from being wounded or worn down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through poetry, we criticize, expose and resist the enemy, the traitors and those who are wavering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are people continuing to fight in this great revolution while sacrificing so many lives, so much blood and so many generations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people are not continuing the struggle solely because of speeches by leaders, reports by organizations, casualty figures released in the news, complaints and criticisms from audiences, bitter quarrels among themselves, or the enemy\u2019s attacks, killings, destruction and torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nor are the people marching blindly into battle simply because of anger, hatred, resentment, grievances and burning rage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people of Myanmar have hopes. They have dreams. They have experiences of enduring and surviving their daily hardships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each individual carries bitter feelings of their own, as well as moments of sweetness. Each has new pages waiting to be opened and read in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also have seeds of their own lives that they are planting for the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe that people continue marching forward\u2014living on and risking their lives\u2014for these reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are able to continue moving forward with strength and hope toward building a new nation because we connect, share, learn, feel, support and empathize with one another through these stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young writers are conveying these stories, lives, emotions and experiences to readers and the public through their literary works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At MoeMaKa, we have created a special section called \u201cSocial Landscapes and Contemporary Experiences\u201d to present this great mirror of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we know only our own feelings, while remaining unaware of the experiences, pain and efforts of others, how can we build our groups, communities, country, people and history together?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, in addition to the poets, I would like to express my gratitude once again to the ground-level writers of MoeMaKa who combine knowledge and literary expression to portray and present the real struggles of the people of Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot persuade and mobilize the people to build a new nation through news and articles alone. We need empathy, humanity, dreams that enable us to join hands, and hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I look back at the writers and comrades who have worked with MoeMaKa over the years, I see that the number of young people and members of the new generation has grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I said earlier, I had thought that once people took up arms, they had put down their pens, medical bags and chalk. But I have found that they have continued to hold on to their pens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the older writers are Ko Than Lwin, Maung Sit Mone, Uncle Tumi, Ko Tin Aye, Kaung Zay Lu, Maung Tu and Mann Phoe Aye of Wakema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the newer writers are Maung Lu Mway, Maung Ba Oo, Florida Han, Font Pha, Tarpalu, Lin Let Nway Oo and Ko Ni Twat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with many other contributors, they have been presenting the social landscapes and contemporary experiences of today\u2019s Myanmar in simple language and vivid colors as part of the effort to build a new nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are deeply pleased and proud of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also want to emphasize that many more literary and artistic creators\u2014not only those mentioned here\u2014are portraying contemporary experiences and social landscapes on MoeMaKa and on many other platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the lives, beauty, courage, emotions, beliefs and hopes of the people of Myanmar that they share, readers gain the strength and clarity to continue building a new nation together, rather than remaining isolated as individuals or groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contemporary experiences and social landscapes for building a new nation must grow out of the real ground-level lives of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They cannot be created by making vague and blind guesses from ivory towers or distant imaginary realms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I myself write news and articles about current affairs. But I do not want to use a little technical skill to produce fragmented work without genuinely understanding the feelings and experiences of the people of Myanmar on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to me that I do not display my own abilities on my platform in a way that silences or blocks the voices and works coming from Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we hear comments such as, \u201cThey do not write for MoeMaKa. They do not send anything to MoeMaKa. They only write among themselves,\u201d we feel saddened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MoeMaKa must not become a literary and artistic platform that shuts itself off from the entire sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, I would like to make one point clear: prioritizing ground-level experience does not mean rejecting the experiences of people living away from Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we want to caution against is writing from afar based on assumptions about ground-level lives one has never experienced or understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The genuine, practical life experiences of people living abroad are also part of contemporary Myanmar history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Displacement, separation from family, struggling to survive abroad, being unable to return home and continuing to carry one\u2019s country in one\u2019s heart while living far away are all important social landscapes as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The essential point is that people should be able to write and share their real-life experiences honestly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a new nation must begin with ordinary people in Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writers and artists from Myanmar must pass the historical record from one generation to the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History has not changed through praise and grand titles alone. Revolutions do not succeed through propaganda slogans alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In social landscapes and contemporary experiences, there should be no fantasies that are too far removed from the real world, nor attitudes that escape from real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They should be free from the imposition of extreme greed, anger, ignorance and ego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, they should reflect the simple lives, existence, emotions and dreams of the people, as well as the ideas, writings and struggles for a new society that guarantees justice and freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing and writing about these social landscapes and contemporary experiences is not merely a literary exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also an effort to understand one another, empathize with one another, and respect and accept lives and viewpoints that are different from our own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a new nation is not merely about removing the dictatorship. It also means rebuilding the humanity, mutual trust and freedom of thought that the dictatorship destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If literature is needed for nation-building, that literature must also be able to point out and criticize the weaknesses and mistakes of those who are building the new nation themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loving the revolution and criticizing the revolution are not opposites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, I would like to encourage everyone to read the writings, feelings and ideas that emerge from the clear hearts and minds of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read. Read books.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, with a clean and free heart, write about yourself, your surroundings and your dreams on blank, pure pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Share them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Write. Write.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MoeMaKa and its readers are waiting, welcoming and encouraging you.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maung Yit \u2014 Social Landscapes and Contemporary Experiences for Building a New Nation MoeMaKa \u2014 October 20, 2026 I have not been writing much lately. Since my main focus has been working as an editor and production manager, I have…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,5,9],"tags":[111,74],"class_list":["post-10321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-moemaka","category-community","category-current","tag-local-news","tag-maung-yit"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3RDLm-2Gt","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10321"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10321\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10323,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10321\/revisions\/10323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}