NEWS RELEASE
PROJECT UMBRELLA BURMA
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We had a beautiful sunny day on Monday to raise the Karen national flag in Orillia.
Mayor Steve Clarke gave a warm welcome to the crowd and said that we were the biggest group he had seen at any flag raising in Orillia. We also heard encouraging words of welcome and support from Senator Gwen Boniface, MP Bruce Stanton, Karen Community of Canada vice-chair Oo Kwe, and Kaw Tha Blay director Kshakalu. Three Karen Canadian youth dance groups performed cultural dances, and we followed the ceremony with a barbecue in the shade and even some swimming at the park.
A huge thank you to local supporters who came out, Karen visitors who travelled from as far away as Windsor and Ottawa, and the City of Orillia for helping to make this day a success.
Check out the video full of big smiles, created by the very talented Sgaw Studio.
The Karen flag will be flying outside the Opera House for the rest of the week. As many people said when they left for the afternoon, "See you next year."
We look forward to seeing you also at our Project Umbrella Burma fundraising concert on Saturday, Sept. 22.
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