LYNN — Element Care hosted a vibrant Khmer New Year celebration Wednesday morning at its Market Street location, bringing together staff, participants, city officials, and a Cambodian dance troupe for an intergenerational moment of culture, remembrance, and community.
The annual event, organized by Multicultural Programs Specialist Kirirath Saing — known by many as A.J. — honored both the traditional Cambodian New Year and the legacy of the Khmer community in Lynn.
“This is something our participants look forward to every year,” said Saing, who has worked at Element Care since 2011. “The Cambodian New Year is always April 13–15, except in a leap year like this one, when it falls on the 14th through 16th. It’s based on the traditional Buddhist calendar, and it also marks the end of the harvest season. Historically, it’s a time when people stop working in the fields and come together to celebrate.”
The event featured three classical dances performed by Indra’s Artistic Creations, a Lowell-based Cambodian arts group led by Kennes Mor. The dances included Robam Boung Soung (a prayer for rain and peace), Robam Choun Por (a blessing dance), and Robam Songkran PutiPorChey, which welcomes the protective spirit of the New Year.
Most of the dancers are high school students, Mor said.
“This is our way of keeping the tradition alive for the next generation,” he explained. “Each performance carries a specific blessing—for the people, for the earth, for our ancestors.”
Among those attending were Mayor Jared C. Nicholson and Councilor-at-Large Hong Net, a longtime advocate for the Khmer community in Lynn. Both praised Element Care’s commitment to cultural inclusion and care.
“We’re lucky to have such a vibrant Khmer community in Lynn,” said Nicholson. “This celebration is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of our city.”
Nicholson also acknowledged the ongoing construction near the site and thanked participants for their patience.
“We’re working hard to make this area more accessible for everyone,” he said. “Once completed, it will be a space that better reflects and supports the needs of our entire community.”
Element Care is part of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a comprehensive medical and social service model for adults aged 55 and older. Participants receive a range of services from primary care to meals and transportation, and most visit the center several times a week.
“This is a one-stop shop for our older adults,” Element Care’s marketing manager Katie Martinson said. “We provide medical care, dental and vision services, physical therapy, and daily activities, all under one roof. And because we operate on a PACE model, our participants have access to 24/7 support, including home visits when needed.”
One participant, Kim Ly Heng, said through her interpreter, Nary Kong, a medical translator at Element Care, that she deeply values the comfort and care she receives.
“Whenever I need help — day or night — they are there,” Heng said. “Element Care has made my life easier, and I love it here.”
She also expressed her joy in being part of the New Year celebration and emphasized how meaningful it is to honor her heritage.
“I’m happy to let others know about my culture,” Heng said. “It’s important that Cambodians never forget where we come from and that we share our traditions with other communities too.”
Heng dressed in traditional Cambodian attire for the occasion. Kong explained that the intricately folded fabric and ornamental brooches are not only culturally significant but also serve a practical purpose.
“The wrap helps carry offerings during religious ceremonies,” Kong said. “And the brooches are used to secure the garment and reflect dignity and respect, especially in sacred settings like the temple.”
This year’s celebration held particular weight, Saing said, because 2025 marks 50 years since the Khmer Rouge regime took power in Cambodia—a period of genocide and forced displacement that continues to shape the memory and identity of survivors and their families.
“We’re not remembering it to stay in pain,” Saing said. “We remember to honor what we went through and to keep our culture alive.”
Doug Thompson, CEO of Element Care, said it was meaningful to see the community and city leadership gather together.
“We are so committed to making sure all of you live happy, healthy lives this year and every year,” Thompson said. “This celebration shows what community-based care is all about.”
A larger citywide Khmer New Year festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, on the Lynn Commons. Saing, who serves on the organizing board, encouraged residents of all backgrounds to attend.
“It’s free and open to everyone,” he said. “It’s about sharing our story.”
