A book launch and discussion by Swedish journalist and author Bertil Lintner on his newest book Young Tigers: Chao Tzang Yawnghwe and the Shan Rebellion in Myanmar was held at the Chiang Mai University (CMU) Faculty of Social Sciences on Feb. 24.
Written in collaboration with his wife Hseng Noung Lintner, the book explores the life and political journey of Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, the son of Burma’s first president, Sao Shwe Thaik, and traces the historical roots of ethnic Shan resistance in Myanmar.
“Chao Tzang Yawnghwe was an old friend of mine, and he was my mentor in many ways. When I first started studying the problems, the ethnic problems of Burma, I think his life reflected that whole struggle,” Bertil Lintner told DVB.
“People may take a look at personalities like him to find a way forward, a way out of the mess that Burma has found itself in, especially after the February 2021 coup,” Lintner added.
The book launch event and discussion with Lintner was organized by Silkworm Books in collaboration with the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) at Chiang Mai University (CMU).
“I feel that the world needs to know more about what’s going on in our part of the world, in our region, not only the world,” Trasvin Jittidecharak, the publisher of Silkworm Books, told DVB. Silkworm has published several of Lintner’s previous books.
Trasvin added that a Burmese publisher has obtained permission to translate Young Tigers: Chao Tzang Yawnghwe and the Shan Rebellion in Myanmar, which is expected to be released within the next few months. A Thai language edition is also being planned for publication next year.
