Board Declared January 13 As Karen New Year Day In Ramsey County

Press release from Ramsey County:

January 12, 2021

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 13 as Karen New Year Day at its Jan. 12 board meeting.

The Karen New Year marks the end of harvest of one rice crop and the beginning of the next rice crop, and also marks the building of new homes. The Karen New Year is the largest celebration in the Karen community, celebrations typically include the Karen Don dances, Karen bamboo dances, singing, speeches, and consuming plenty of food and drink.

The county is home to one of the largest Karen communities in America who started arriving in Minnesota in the early 2000s seeking asylum as political refugees escaping the oppressive rule of the Burmese Military Dictatorship.

A representative from the Karen Organization of Minnesota accepted the proclamation.

• Watch the board presentation.
• Read the presentation.

This press release was produced by Ramsey County. The views expressed are the author's own.