Wimmera Karen communities will congregate in Nhill at the weekend to present an annual New Year cultural event.

Happy Karen New Year 2759 will be at Nhill Memorial Community Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday. 

Event spokesman Htoo Kaw Jah said the celebration, which was in Horsham last year, was a way to remind the Wimmera Karen community’s youngest members, as well as the wider community, about Karen people’s culture.

“We celebrate the Karen New Year every year to let our children and our community know what it means, who we are, what we do and where we are from,” he said.

Mr Jah said the event would feature cultural dance performances and include a traditional Karen meal for attendees.

He said it would also precede a free music concert at Nhill Memorial Community Centre from 7pm to 10pm.

Mr Jah encouraged Wimmera people to get involved and bring their family and friends to join the day of celebration.

“Everyone is welcome at Nhill for Karen New Year,” he said.

“We want everyone to join us.”

Organisers have asked attendees of the New Year event for a gold coin donation.

People seeking more information can call Htoo Kaw on 0425 000 817 or Kaw Doh on 0431 311 343.

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