Sawt Falasteen - Myanmar fireworks festival goers shun politics for tradition

Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the military grabbed power in a 2021 coup, sparking a civil war between the junta and allied pro-democracy rebels and ethnic minority armed groups.

But there was a muted celebratory air as teams loaded candles and fireworks onto the homemade airships, part of the annual Tazaungdaing hot air balloon festival in northern Shan state's Taunggyi city.

Crowds hoot and cheer as the contraptions float into the darkening sky, while referees judge the magnificence of their aerial explosions.

"Frankly speaking, we felt happier in the past," said local resident Myo Ko, who has attended the festival in years past. "There was no politics. That kind of feeling is the best."

Despite the usual crowds of thousands, the feeling of self-restraint was more evident this year, the 30-year-old told AFP.

"All our ethnic brothers used to take part freely and happily. I want to get those times back."

Shan state has been rocked by fighting since June 2024 when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against the military along a trade highway to China.

The junta is trumpeting elections scheduled to start in December as an opportunity for reconciliation.

Taunggyi resident Di Lone, 50, said politics was the last thing on his mind at the cultural heritage event he has cherished since childhood.

"Politics is politics. Festival is festival. We keep them separate. It's not related," he said.

But while the conflict may have dented spirits, it has not dented numbers.

"It was very crowded since my childhood," Di Lone said. "It will be crowded even after I die."

There is no official death toll for Myanmar's civil war and estimates vary widely.

However more than 85,000 people have been killed on all sides since the 2021 coup according to non-profit monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Data (ACLED).

Myo Ko noted more corporate sponsorship at the festival in recent years and lamented the loss of past cameraderie.

"We want to be happy like before," he said. "That's it."

G.AbuOdeh--SF-PST