Happy New Year!

From all the staff at OISE Oxford we would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! We have seen many students come and go over the year and it has been an absolute pleasure to meet you all.

Later tonight the traditional new year's song 'Auld Lang Syne' will once again resound all over the world as 2014 commences. The song's title translates into colloquial English as "the good old days" or "back in the day" and its lyrics were originally written by well-known Scottish poet Robert Burns back in 1788, inspired by fragments of traditional songs from earlier times. But it was not until after his death that the tune emerged and it has since gained huge popularity all over the world, being translated into numerous different languages. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the lyrics, take this opportunity to swat up ready to join in the sing-song and click here to get to grips with the tune. Don't worry, the first verse and the chorus should be more than enough to get by!

AULD LANG SYNE

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And auld lang syne?

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

And surely you'll be your pint-stowp

And surely I'll be mine

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne!

Chorus

We twa hae ran about the braes

And pu'd the gowans fine

But we've wander'd monie a weary fit

Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn

Frae morning sun til dine,

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o' thine,

And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught

For auld lang syne!

Chorus

For more on how this simple Scottish folk song became one of the world's most popular songs and what it means, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25402099

Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas?

Well, the shops certainly don't seem to think so. For weeks now the gaudy Christmas displays have been up, hoping to lure us into starting our Christmas shopping in the middle of November. I am ashamed to say I have given in once or twice but I am relieved that most have managed to hold off playing their infernal Christmas tunes on repeat so far.

I am generally of the opinion that festivities should not begin until 1st December, the start of Advent, however if you happen to be in Oxford this evening, you will notice that today is the day when Christmas officially comes to Oxford with the start of Oxford Light Night 2013.

Christmas Light Night takes place annually in Oxford city centre and attracts visitors from miles around for an evening of processions, lights, dance, art, live music and performance. Many of Oxford's main attractions will also be opening their doors to visitors in honour of the occasion.

Here are just a few of the events going on at some of Oxford's best-known attractions this evening:

Ashmolean Museum - Oxford Folk LiveFriday 

7:00 - 10:30pm

Oxford Folk LiveFriday is inspired by Oxford’s rich folk heritage and will feature workshops, morris dancing, yarn bombing and a rousing performance from the Combined Choirs of Oxford.

Pitt Rivers Museum - 'Inside Sound' installation

7:00 - 11:00pm

The torch-lit galleries of the Pitt Rivers Museum will be immersed in evocative rainforest soundscapes as multi-channel sound installations broadcast stunning African Bayaka recordings from the archives. Expect surprise performances and a chance to get musically interactive as we invite you to explore these extraordinary sounds and surroundings.

Museum of the History of Science - Let it snow!

7:00 - 11:00pm

Investigate the beauty of snowflakes and many other crystalline forms in an evening of family friendly activities, tours of the Crystals exhibition, talks, music and film. 

Bodleian Library - Late opening

6:00 - 8:00pm

The Bodleian Library will mark this year's Christmas Light Night by opening the Divinity School and Convocation House free of charge. Explore the Divinity School, built in 1488 for the teaching of theology. With its elaborately vaulted ceiling and its 455 carved bosses, it is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture. Take a look in the 17th-century Convocation House and Court, where Parliament was held in the Civil War.

The Christmas Market on St Giles will be sticking around all weekend so make sure you take full advantage of its 80-odd stalls and indulge in a mulled wine or two while you're at it. If that doesn't put you in the festive spirit, what will?

For full event listings visit: www.oxfordschristmas.com

Chinese Year of the Snake

Yesterday, 10th February, saw the beginning of the Lunar New Year also known as Chinese New Year, the most important annual holiday in much of Asia.  It is celebrated by millions.

The new year began in China at midnight, with firework displays and family gatherings.  It is the year of the snake, taking over from the dragon.

In China, an estimated 200 million people have travelled to be with their families in what is considered the biggest mass human migration on Earth.  The holiday will continue throughout the week, with government offices and businesses shut down.

The snake has a mixed reputation in China. It is associated with wisdom, beauty and intelligence but also pride and anger.

Saturday evening also saw an anticipated 700 million people watch state television's annual TV gala, a variety performance show in which Celine Dion sang her theme tune from the movie Titanic.  See Celine sing in flawless Chinese here.

According to the BBC's Chinese correspondent, one well-known Chinese songwriter reports that, My Heart Will Go On is one of two English songs that are well known in China. The other is Happy Birthday.

In the North Korean capital Pyongyang, people climbed Mansu Hill in the centre of the city to pay homage to the bronze statues of national founder Kim Il Sung and late leader Kim Jong Il.  People laid flowers at the two statues of their late leaders as it is customary for North Koreans to do so to mark major holidays, anniversaries, and celebrations.

Chinese communities in Burma and Indonesia celebrated the first day of the Lunar New Year on Sunday.  In Yangon, people visited a temple by the city's Chinatown district, where they lit incense sticks and chanted prayers, hoping that the Year of the Snake would bring them prosperity and good health.  Meanwhile, at the oldest temple in Jakarta – Vihara Dharma Bhakti, which was built in 1650 – thousands of people performed prayer rituals.  Whilst in Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou handed out traditional red envelopes containing money - in this case one Taiwanese dollar ($0.03; £0.02) - to people at a temple in Taipei.

Happy Year of the Snake to everyone!  And happy celebrations!