(Kao Wao: January 6, 2004)

The Karen New Year 2743 was joyfully celebrated in Vancouver, Canada on January 3, 2004.

According to the source from the Canadian Karen Community more than 300 people attended the event held in Surrey.

"Not only people from Burma but also local Canadians joined to celebrate with us. Some Karen even traveled from Edmonton, Victoria, Seattle, Thunder Bay and from the US, Portland and Minnesota to celebrate the Karen New year with us. We hope all the Karen around the world will stand united as only one spirit." said an organizer of Karen New Year celebration.

The programs included singing the Karen National Anthem, reading message from the Karen National Union (KNU), speeches by leaders and a raffle draw. The Karen traditional Don Dance, Bamboo Dance and Harvesting Dance were entertained to the audience and varieties of Karen, Shan and Mon songs were performed.