honorable mention
Stéphanie Buret switzerland
title
Junta in Wonderland
In 2005, the Burmese junta started to build NayPyiTaw, her new capital city, in the middle of the country in the bush. Officials were forced to move from Rangoon. The huge city became actually the new army residence. Military parades and summits are organised in NayPyiTaw for the Ministers and the Head of State. The city is accessible since 2011.
Soldiers are controlling an empty city which include several very distant aeras. 20 lane-highways with no road signs (!) and lotus fountain roundabouts punctuate this inhuman space. Though environnment is dry and water/electricity ressources are lacking in the country, NayPyiTaw get 24h/24h connection. Moreover, cleaners employees are everywhere to polish the « Wonderland ».
Aung San Suu Kyi is talking about the city saying it’s a « Disneyland fascist ». New elections will come in November 2015.
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entry description
Junta in WonderlandIn 2005, the Burmese junta started to build NayPyiTaw, her new capital city, in the middle of the country in the bush. Officials were forced to move from Rangoon. The huge city became actually the new army residence. Military parades and summits are organised in NayPyiTaw for the Ministers and the Head of State. The city is accessible since 2011.
Soldiers are controlling an empty city which include several very distant aeras. 20 lane-highways with no road signs (!) and lotus fountain roundabouts punctuate this inhuman space. Though environnment is dry and water/electricity ressources are lacking in the country, NayPyiTaw get 24h/24h connection. Moreover, cleaners employees are everywhere to polish the « Wonderland ».
Aung San Suu Kyi is talking about the city saying it’s a « Disneyland fascist ». New elections will come in November 2015.
about the photographer
I first studied anthropology, worked for NGO’s in Madagascar and China and with migrants in Switzerland. As a freelance photojournalist, I’m now based in Geneva. I’m mainly interested in documenting the social mutations and new identity constructions. I’ve just finished 2 photo reports on Eritrea and on NayPyiTaw, the new ghost capital city of Myanmar. This last series called « Junta in Wonderland » was projected in the International Festival of Photojournalism Visa Pour l’Image at Perpignan in France and is now shortlisted for the Scam Roger Pic Award.back to gallery