Hear the unheard voices at Karen Cultural Day Nov. 12

Receive your introduction to the Karen culture through a fashion show, dancing and song presented by members of the Karen people at Karen Cultural Day 1-3 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Atwood Memorial Center, Cascade Room.

Where We Come From, Voices of the Unheard is presented by the Karen Student United Association at St. Cloud State University. The Karen are an ethnic group from Myanmar. Minnesota has a growing Karen population.

“Not a lot of people know who the Karen people are or even heard of us, and they do not know where we come from,” said Lay Lae Htoo, of the Karen Student United Association. “With this event, we hope to teach everyone about the Karen people. We want them to know where we come from and who we are. We want our voices to be heard.”

Admission is $2 for students, $3 for non-students and free for children younger than 5.

Cultural festivals are one way the university is providing a transformative educational experience for students to help prepare them to be global citizens at home, at work and in their communities. More than 1,000 students from 90-plus nations attend St. Cloud State, and cultural festivals give them an opportunity to share elements of their culture with the campus community.