Yangon Zoo

• Photographer
  Francoise Holtzmacher

The Yangon Zoological Gardens and Parks offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The oldest zoo in Myanmar, established in 1901 in honour of Queen Victoria, boasts rare and endangered animal species as well as rich flora over several sprawling acres. Many animals were moved to the zoo in the new capital Naypyidaw in 2008, leaving behind numerous empty cages. Most of the still, almost listless animals are kept in often narrow cages. A heavy sense of sadness, absurdity, and abandon pervades the park. Today one can't help but question the relevance of zoos, not only in Myanmar but everywhere else. Albert Camus' extract from his Literature Nobel Prize winning speech in 1957 finds strong resonance when we look at the captive animals: "I have never been able to renounce the light, the pleasure of being, and the freedom in which I grew up."

I am a Belgian freelance photographer currently based and working in Sydney. I work on a diverse range of subjects dealing with documentary photography, street photography, fine art, and photojournalism.