On Saturday, 60 to 100 people are expected to make their way to Owensboro for the 27th anniversary of Burma’s historic national uprising.

The event is sponsored by the Burmese community in Bowling Green and Owensboro, where in the past year 338 residents came from Burma and 17 from Thailand, according to the International Center. The celebration is to acknowledge the collapse of the military government, which oppressed the people of Burma for 26 years. The ceremony will be at Bellevue Baptist Church’s indoor basketball court. 

Bowling Green resident Khin Maung “Jimmy” Nyunt, chairman of the Burmese community and a war veteran of Burma, explained what the event means to him. 

“This day is just to show that we never forget the national uprising, and we are very grateful to the heroes who have fallen, and because of them, the regime collapsed and the country gets breathing space for democracy,” Nyunt said. “That’s why we are going to salute them, and at the same time, we will have a memorial service.”

The historic occasion is by invitation only, but several members and organizations of the community, including Leyda Becker, community services specialist/international communities liaison at the city of Bowling Green, have been invited. She explained the importance of encouraging and supporting cultural celebrations in the community.

“My office strives as best as possible to have active participation in cultural events, whether it’d be the Burmese Water Festival, National Karenni Day, Monk ordination Ceremony, etc.,” Becker said in an email. “Cultural celebrations continue to build heritage and the traditions among our international communities.”

Although Burma has overcome some government oppression, fully implementing democracy has been a struggle. In 2008, a new constitution was made, which allowed the military to form a coup d’état anytime they felt a situation was not good for the country, Nyunt said. No one can become president without military recommendation, he said.

A general election in 2010 was not very democratic, Nyunt said. The military would dress in civilian clothing, and most of them were elected. Some were blackmailed, Nyunt said.

In November, Burma will have another election in hopes of finally establishing democracy within the country.

“There will be a lot of chaos during and after the election,” Nyunt said.

The mission of the 27th anniversary is to instill vision, responsibility and education into the younger generation toward Burma “in order to preserve, strengthen and guarantee equality, justice, unity, and most of all, democracy,” according to a news release from the 27th anniversary organizing committee.

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Simone Payne on Twitter at twitter.com/FaithinBG or visit bgdailynews.com.