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2014 is a special year for China Institute. It is the 88th Anniversary of our organization, and in Chinese culture 88 is the luckiest number. It symbolizes fortune and good luck, since the word 8 sounds similar to the word fā (发, which implies 发财, or wealth). There is also a visual resemblance between two digits, "88", and 囍, the "shuāng xi", or double joy, a popular decorative design composed of two stylized characters 喜 ("xĭ" meaning "joy" or "happiness"). That is why in this auspicious year for China Institute, we have many reasons to feel fortunate.
China Institute's Chinese language program is one of the oldest in New York city, and this year we are growing our education department to meet the increasing interest in Mandarin and Chinese culture. We are adding new classes for students, adults, as well as corporate executives at their offices, if desired. And we are focusing on classes for parents who want to follow and work with their children studying the Chinese language. Weekend and weeknight classes are also being considered to accommodate the ever growing demand for Chinese language and culture.
January 31 this year ushers in the Chinese Year of the Horse, and China Institute celebrates this event with our annual Chinese New Year Celebration which will be held on February 7 at Cipriani midtown. This festive celebration includes a banquet style dinner and Chinese cultural activities, including a traditional lion dance and a Shaolin monk performance. This year, China Institute will honor Ming Cho Lee, recipient of the 2013 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement and 1984 recipient of China Institute's first Blue Cloud Award. As special guests, we have Shen Wei, the celebrated global dance artist best known as the lead choreographer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In addition we have as special guest, Kaity Tong, the award winning TV Anchor journalist. Tickets can be purchased at our website or contact lmcdonald@chinainstitute.org.
2014 promises to be another exciting year at China Institute. In our 88th Anniversary Year, the Board of Trustees has redoubled its support for the organization's mission to educate our friends and supporters with all aspects of China. We will continue to strengthen our organization and our activities to meet the needs of our members and the general public.
We wish you all a healthy and prosperous Year of the Horse and, as we say in Chinese, Gong Xi Fa Cai! |
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