Burmese, their humour and resilience Yuri Takahashi

Do you know Burmese nature and their culture?

Receiving COLLEGE OF ASIA & THE PACIFIC TEACHING AWARD 2022

Myanmar is one of the countries where human rights are threatened.

The military coup occurred two years ago. The conflict between people and the military has never ceased. However, we, as Japanese, know how much about them?

Dr. Yuri Takahashi is a Lecturer, Burmese of Australian National University.

She talked to us about the Burmese people, culture, and recent life.

After her graduation from university, Dr. Takahashi's career started as an Asian book editor, and then she became a Japanese language educator.

When she started teaching Japanese to five Burmese engineers in a car company, her interest in Myanmar grew.

Dr. Yuri takahashi (Second left) with Co-worker and students at ANU

"The engineers always made jokes. Even when they were in a difficult situation, their sense of humour was never waned"

She started learning Burmese and became a Burmese language specialist.

During her studies of the many forms of Burmese literature, she learnt about their sense of humour, endurance and environmental changes.

Dr. Yuri Takahashi sings a classic song in at rural area in Myanmar.

90 percent of Burmese are Buddhist believers. Other religion people in Myanmar also have a similar mentality to Buddhists.

Which is the idea 'Nothing is permanent’ or 'All all things must pass.’

Japanese has a similar idea but the Burmese one is more optimistic. ' Everything will change or we will change.'

Good or Bad 'Nothing is permanent'

And she also talked about the many changes in the Burmese community after the military coup of 2021

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