Utica Karen New Year Celebration 2760

Karen New Year is a celebration that is celebrated globally amongst the Karen communities. As a result of the refugee resettlement process, it is celebrated internationally. In prior years, we would traditionally celebrate this special occasion collectively, however as a result of the ongoing global pandemic (COVID-19) we can not celebrate this special holiday with you all, therefore we would like to formally invite all communities to celebrate Karen New Year (2760) virtually on the Utica Karen Committee (UKC) Facebook live page on January 13, 2021, at 6:00 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time).


Annually we would tradition host several performances showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Karen community while honoring our Karen Community elders. These events would consist of playing traditional instruments Klo and Kwe, our traditional Don dance, and showcasing the different varieties of the Karen regalia and what different colors, lengths, and patterns would traditionally symbolize in our Karen society.


The Karen people are an ethnic minority group originating from Myanmar. They are a stateless group historically and were able to resettle to different regions of the world through the refugee resettlement process. There are many refugee camps bordering Thailand and Myanmar that are funded through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Through the beauty of the refugee resettlement process, we would love to give back and share our culture with you!


However, as a result of the global pandemic (COVID-19), we are taking safeguards to social distance and to prevent the spread of this virus. Therefore we are moving our celebration online. Although we are not able to share our traditional practices and dances with you folks live, we would still like to give back and honor 100 Karen elders in our community. Along with the cost of gift preparations for our elders, The Utica Karen Committee would like to generously ask for your donations for the estimated costs of gifts, decorations, and other preparations for our Utica Karen New Year (2760)


So too, we would like to thank all our previous sponsors, donors, and supporters who have supported us in previous years.


May this Karen New Year (2760) bring all of you peace, prosperity, happiness, and good health to you all.


See you on January 13, 2021, 6:00 PM EST