Karen New Year celebration brings music, culture, fun

Albert Lea and the surrounding area celebrated the Karen New Year on Saturday at Albert Lea High School with music, dance, food and sports.

The event attracted several hundred people from the Karen community as well as others who wanted to learn more about the culture. Several community leaders were also on hand to share about resources in the city.

The Karen New Year marks the beginning of the traditional Karen calendar year and is a time for music, dance and festivities. It has been traditionally held to honor the end of the harvest season, in which the Karen people honor their ancestors, express gratitude for the prior year’s harvest and welcome the opportunity for a new year.

Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray thanked the Karen people in attendance for being a part of the Albert Lea community and for the strong family traditions and work ethic they bring to the area.

“It’s important that we share what you bring to the community because you are an important part of the Albert Lea community,” Murray said.

Albert Lea Superintendent Steve Heil thanked the Karen community members for involving the school district in its tradition and said that the day was not just a celebration of the new year, but also a celebration of resilience, heritage and a vibrant culture that they share with the community.

“When I look around the room, I see the strength of a community that values education, family and the perseverance of a beautiful history. …” Heil said. “We are better and stronger because you live here.”

Representatives from the Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Albert Lea Fire Rescue also spoke about their aims to keep the community safe and provide help where needed, as well as the importance of working together.

Avi Sukhwal with Freeborn County Public Health, shared about resources the department has to support families so they can be healthy, safe and strong at every stage of life. He said the department is there to be a partner and wished those in attendance health, peace and strength.