The century-old villa of Myanmar’s independence hero Aung San and his family is being spruced up ahead of the 72nd anniversary of his assassination on 19 July.
Set just north of Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon’s Bahan township, the two-storey residence was home to the leader for just over two years until he was gunned down alongside eight of his colleagues in the Secretariat, a pivotal moment in modern Burmese history that is known as Martyrs’ Day.
His wife Khin Kyi continued to raise their three children, including Aung San Suu Kyi, at the home until 1953 when, tragically, the second son Aung San Lin drowned in the compound’s pool.
The upper floor and some rooms on the first floor are being reopened after maintenance work and walkways around the garden have been covered to shelter visitors from the rain.
On display is the general’s car, a British-built Wolseley vehicle, and inside the home are old family photos and a new exhibit of Aung San’s suits in the bedroom.
Last year, his speeches were displayed around the villa, and now stamps marked with the general’s image will be shown on 18 boards.
Visitors can also see an overcoat that Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru gave to Aung San for his trip to London, where he signed an agreement with the British leader Clement Attlee on 27 January 1947 guaranteeing Burma’s independence within a year.
The museum opens on Martyrs’ Day from 6am to 6pm and on July 20-21 from 8am to 5pm. Usual opening times are 9am to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Entry is free for locals and 5,000 kyats per person for foreigners.
