Hmong New Year celebration in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn - Tradition is met with enthusiasm as the Hmong New Year celebration continues at the River Centre in St. Paul.

But this year is special. This year marks 40 years since the first Hmong family arrived in Minnesota. The cultural celebration includes food, crafts, music, and performances.

Event organizer, Nyob Zoo, said the three-day celebration gives families an opportunity to reflect on their heritage.

"If we don't have this event we are afraid that our children will not know who they are and where they come from," she said. "Throughout the 40 years of our Hmong being here in the U.S. they have accomplished a lot. In Laos, there were no schools for the women to go to. The only ones that were able to go to school was the males. But as far as females, they had no opportunity but to farm and stay home."

The door of opportunity is open for women and children like 12-year-old Pahoua Yang.

"It is important for me to know my culture because some of the Hmong kids kind of forget our culture," she said. "We go to school and we learn English. A couple of my friends don't know how to speak Hmong anymore. I feel kind of sad for them."

Attendees are encouraged to park in the RiverCentre Parking Ramp which is located on Kellogg Boulevard and offers skyway access to St. Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.