‘Unforgettable day’ for Aung San Suu Kyi on first visit to Ireland
More than 2,000 people attended a concert in Dublin to honour Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during her brief visit to Ireland last week.
Electric Burma was organised by Amnesty International and featured numerous celebrities who took the stage in praise of the political activist and Nobel laureate, who had spent 15 of the past 24 years under house arrest.
One of them was U2 frontman Bono, who presented Suu Kyi with Amnesty International’s prestigious Ambassador of Conscience award.
Outside the Board Gáis Energy Theatre venue at Grand Canal Dock, thousands more crowded under ominous skies awaiting Suu Kyi’s appearance at an outdoor rally where she accepted the freedom of the city of Dublin. Suu Kyi was awarded Dublin’s highest honour in 2000 but was unable to accept it due to the restrictions on her movement imposed by the Burmese military junta.
It was a day that many of Suu Kyi’s supporters, who lined the streets surrounding the venue, thought would never come. Many camped at the theatre for hours to make sure they would get a spot near the stage.
“She’s an icon, a person who stands up for moral conscience,” said Derek Haughton (54), one of those who waited several hours. He described her as “a shining light for everyone.”
Mother and daughter Joan (55) and Megan McAllister (20) came to support Suu Kyi out of respect for her struggle for human rights. “She’s a gracious lady who has suffered a lot. We should give her a good welcome,” said Joan.
“It will be interesting to see what future plans she has now that she’s free,” added Megan.
The event also honoured members of Ireland’s Burmese community, who received VIP treatment at the venue. Exuding pride and excitement, they waved the flag of their native land in anticipation of Suu Kyi’s appearance.
Among them was a Burmese woman, Su, a doctor who has been living in Ireland for the past 7 years. The 38-year-old recalled seeing Suu Kyi in person before her first house arrest, back in the mid-1980s when she was a young student.
“It means a lot (for Suu Kyi to be in Dublin), more than you could know,” she said.
Regarding the current political situation in Burma/Myanmar, Su said that things have improved, but was quick to add that “there is a lot more to be done”.
That was also Suu Kyi’s message when she took the stage to accept the freedom of the city, noting that the troubles in Burma are not over.
Thanking the people of Ireland for their continuing support for her country, she said: “This will be one of the most unforgettable days of my life.”
Aung San Suu Kyi’s whistle-stop visit to Dublin was part of her first trip to Europe in 24 years.
