On the night of December 31, Jiangnan University New Year Countdown Party was held at Wenhao Hall. President Chen Jian, Vice Chancellor and Secretary Zhou Xiaopu, Vice President Tian Bei, staff from related administrative offices along with more than 2000 faculty members and students, were embracing the arrival of 2015.
Themed with “Bright Prospects, Colorful Jiangnan”, the party was set into four parts: “Golden Times with Auspicious Rituals”, “Beautiful Landscape with Phoenix singing in the Rising Sun”, “Glittering Time with Fragrant Wintersweet” and “Exuberant Renovation with Flourishing Glory”. Combined with classical charm and modern fashion and showcasing Southern-Yangtz-river-area-style rural tranquility and urban vitality, the party presented a pattern full of energy of youth.
Accompanied by drums and cheers, President Chen Jian started with a speech celebrating the New Year amid warm applause. He shared several memorable things in 2014 with all the faculties and students: The first was the emergence of a “God” and a “Goddess” in two halves of the year, illustrating the growing media attention of JU. The second was the library renovation for a better academic environment, receiving applause of JU students. He also promised that in 2015, increasing investment would be allowed to better the environment around teaching buildings, so as to transform JU into “the most beautiful campus” as well as “the most comfortable learning paradise”. The third was that our design ideas were adopted in fashion designing of APEC state leaders and finally appeared on President Xi Jinping’s costume, further showing that JU sticks to the idea of pursuing better food and clothing for every Chinese. His sagacity and humor built up friendly atmosphere and deeply impressed all the attendees, provoking rounds of heartfelt laughters and applause. As the speech came to an end, President Chen activated the button “Three Rams Bring Bliss” with implied meaning of propitiousness, bringing the excitement on celebrating the New Year to a climax.
Afterwards, a series of brilliant performances came in a continuous stream. In the Tibetan Dance－Wind in the Plateaubrought by Ethnic Groups Union, the dancers whirled and galloped, immersing attendees in the plateau atmosphere. Members from National Flag Squad displayed mighty queue performance, conveying the spirit of “bleeding, sweating but no tearing”. The song “My Heart Will Go On” was given distinctive artistic conception with original ensemble of western and Chinese instruments, making the carry-away audience. Art Troupe also provided fascinating performances such as graceful dancingSadness of Dropping Flower, passionate singingLoving each other, and short sketch showCircle of Friendsclose to college students’ life. Also, there were an amazing magic show performed by School of Business containing mysterious tricks, an elegant quintetBoxwood Shoulder Poleby School of Humanities which manifested a pattern of lyrical folklore, and a charming fashion showDream Back to Han and Tang Dynastyperformed by School of Textile and Clothing. As the bell sounded the hour, the hall was encompassed with festive tenderness when the staff distributed hot dumplings to the present. Following the finale showLittle Apple, the party ended in a jubilant atmosphere.
“While Gallant Horses March Unhindered Ringing out the Old, Three Rams Bring Bliss Ringing in the New”. In the beginning of 2015, we sincerely wish all the students and faculty in JU a glorious future; we sincerely wish Jiangnan University to stand out from all the universities in China; we sincerely wish our country to be strong and prosperous, fulfilling the great rejuvenation of “Two Century Goals” in the foreseeable future.
The party
President Chen Jian delivering a speech
Opening song and dance
Performance of Minority Ethnic Group Students
Excited audience
