Shaken, Not SIlenced

Insight Myanmar

Episode #295: "I was born on the sixth of the 8th of the '88; the famous '88! My parents were part of the student movement, but growing up with my grandmother, I didn’t know much until I was older. They just said my parents were away."

Hnin's story is tightly linked with Burma’s turbulent history. When her activist parents were forced into exile, she was raised by her grandmother, and grew up disconnected from her parents.

Eventually reunited with her parents in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, she saw firsthand the hardships they endured, and only then began to understand the scope of their sacrifice in the service of democracy. Relocating to Australia in the early 2000s, she struggled with identity, culture, and belonging, all while her parents continued their activism, hosting the Burmese community regularly.

In 2011, Hnin returned to Myanmar and opened Father’s Office—a bar merging Burmese heritage with a modern identity, particularly providing a safe space for women. The 2021 military coup transformed her life, along with everyone else, and a downtown creative space she had set up became a resistance hub where activists could gather and strategize, despite the inherent dangers. Hnin’s efforts echoed her parents’ legacy.

Forced to flee Myanmar, Hnin moved to Chiang Mai, where she continues her work supporting Myanmar’s resistance, through organizing workshops, running community kitchens, and preserving Burmese cultural heritage through exhibitions.

Hnin embodies resilience—a constant evolution reflecting Burma's struggles. From chef and bar owner to activist, her journey remains a testament to community power, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom, even amidst oppression.