Zarganar

Zarganar is Burma's best known media celebrity, having achieved fame as a comedian, actor, director and writer. His work is in the tradition of Burmese satire and draws inspiration from the daily struggles of the Burmese people in the grip of nearly five decades of military dictatorship.

Zarganar has been arrested several times for making jokes about the Burmese junta. He was last arrested in June 2008 for publicly criticising the government response to Cyclone Nargis, which killed more than 140,000 people.

Media reports say officials were outraged after he mocked an article in a state-run newspaper in which the government said cyclone survivors could exist on what they could scavenge in the countryside, rather than on chocolate bars from Western aid groups.

Zarganar was serving a 35 years sentence in Myitkyina Prison for creating disaffection towards the state and government and for violating the Electronic Act. All external communication was prohibited to him.

The Burmese government released dozens of prisoners, including political detainees, as part of a general amnesty in October 2011. Popular comedian, Zarganar was among the first to be freed.

Freedom to Create is incredibly grateful for the support, partnership, guidance and encouragement that we have received from our amazing supporters, artists, participants, judges and other organisations since we began in 2006. We have made the difficult decision to suspend Freedom to Create's Prize and Exhibitions from 31 December 2011 for a period of strategic evaluation. Thank you for your support and wishing you courage and creativity in all that you do.

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