This is something very different for us and one of those once-in-a-lifetime evenings.  20 Burmese monks will be coming to live on Sampsonia Way from September 23 to September 25.  On the evening of September 23, the monks will do a prayer walk from Sampsonia Way through the Mexican War Streets, ending up at the Mattress Factory.

At the Mattress Factory, there will be a showing of the film Burma VJ  ("video journalist") at 7 pm, followed by a panel discussion and a reception.  The movie is about the uprising of monks in Burma; one of the monks in the movie will be on the panel; and September 24 marks the 2-year anniversary of the uprising.  The next day the monks will be holding a press conference.  THIS SERIES OF EVENTS IS ONE OF THE MAIN MEMORIALS IN THE WORLD MARKING THESE EVENTS.

Khet Mar, our current writer-in-residence is from Burma, and she will also be participating in the panel.  If you can attend, you will have a much greater understanding of the incredibly difficult circumstances in Burma and why she is in Pittsburgh.