AIM Welcomes the Year of the Ox

Heavy rains did not stop the AIM community from celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year. As early as 5pm, students, faculty and staff converged last January 23, 2009 at the Zen Garden. It was a night of dragon dancing and film viewing for those in the campus.

The Chinese New Year is considered as the longest, most important celebration among Chinese. Traditionally, festivities start on the first day of the lunar month and lasts for 15 days. Dragon and lion dances are common. It is said that the loud drum beats and the sound of cymbals, together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can drive away bad or evil spirits.