The Kite Tales

Who we are

The Kite Tales is a non-profit storytelling website that chronicles the lives of people across Myanmar, in English and Burmese languages. Launched in 2016 by two experienced journalists - one Burmese, one British - this growing digital archive features stories and videos that focus on untold histories, highlight marginalised voices and celebrate diversity. The 2021 military coup has made that mission all the more important.

Our Resistance Diaries project and fellowship scheme gives a platform to trusted journalists and artists to share stories of the events they have witnessed since the military grabbed power, to talk about the challenges they face and to maintain reporting capacity even when they are unable to work on traditional news. 

At a time when both international and local journalists are unable to report freely in Myanmar and the country has fallen from the global news agenda, these diaries provide a critical window into the troubles and tragedies of life after the coup, as well as people’s resilience, determination, and bravery.

Since March 2022 the Kite Tales fellowship has supported seven journalists and three visual artists representing a diverse range of experiences – six are women, five are from minority regions and groups.

They receive a monthly stipend to produce either written stories or the artwork to accompany the diaries. This provides a financial safety net at a time when the media industry has been crushed by the military and reporters are often in hiding, trying to support themselves and their families in the face of unemployment and economic collapse. But it also provides an important outlet for journalists fuelled by a desire to inform the world about the situation in their country.