BRATTLEBORO- Myanmar (Burma) is opening up to the outside world. Photographs by Fred Bonatto of this longtime reclusive country are on display at the Vermont Center for Photography for the month of April. Six months after travel restrictions were lifted, Bonatto visited Burma and lived with Buddhist monks.

He explored the everyday life and culture of this ancient land just before the rest of the world probably intrudes. For now, Burma is only one of three countries that does not have Coca-Cola available, but it is soon to change.

Bonatto, a multidisciplinary artist, now lives in London but has spent considerable time in New Hampshire, Brazil, and Mexico City. He has traveled a fair bit of the world with a documentary photography viewpoint that intimately explores local cultures. Bonatto says, “Twenty-first century Burmese are incredibly gentle people who embrace, live, and breathe ancient culture, one that has not been overtly overtaken by so-called globalization.”

The opening reception is Friday, April 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, during Brattleboro Gallery Walk. The public is welcome. The exhibit will end on Sunday, April 28. For information call (802) 251-6051 or visit www.vcphoto.org.