Only two months in, and already celebrations to herald in 2014 seem but a distant memory. As the sounds of Big Ben echoed across the land and fireworks peppered the sky with the promise of new beginnings, how many of us looked forward to a year that could bring so much - and how many spent a moment, maybe only a fleeting one, turning our heads and looking back on all that had passed in twelve months of both good and bad luck touching each and every one of us in so many different ways. The last chime of midnight, that final chime that leads us onwards into another year, evokes for so many people images of those no longer with us, those we can no longer join hands with, hold in a warm embrace and share our hopes and dreams for a future none of us dare to see with overwhelming feelings of anticipation. Memories are so precious. They are yours to lock deep in your heart. They cannot be changed, they cannot be taken from you, they surround you with a warmth that can be both comforting and yet upsetting, creating a smile whilst wiping a tear from your eye. Memories can creep up on you unexpectedly, a place, a song, a look opening the pages of the book upon which these memories are written. The starting of a new year is one such occasion. Wishes for the future torn apart by the loss of family and friends, plans cast aside, a link in our own special chain broken by events over which we had no control.
Life goes on, however, a saying we hear so often yet rarely find comforting when feelings are so raw, a loss so devastating. But we do go on, we move forward, maybe slowly to begin with, the first few tentative steps gradually increasing until we walk, head held high, into the future. Life begins again as winter melts into spring. The snowdrop bursts forth from the frozen ground, delicate yet strong, promising so much. The buds on the trees give birth to leaves that grow as we grow, seeking the sun, embracing the rain. And so we blossom, emerging from darkness into the light. We have to hold on to our dreams, focus on our hopes, walk with our memories. Sometimes life plants obstacles in our path, we may not always avoid all that life can throw at us when we least expect it. But obstacles can be surmounted, climbed over, walked around, and we become adept at ducking when misfortune aims what it hopes will be a direct hit. Still look backwards, but with a smile. Look in the mirror with confidence and say to yourself: "I survived last year and I shall do the same again."
The Chinese New Year saw Edinburgh host the Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors exhibition held in the magnificent surroundings of the University of Edinburgh's historic Quad. Created by the talented Chinese artist Xia Nan for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, this is the first time this incredible display has been seen in Scotland. Xia Nan gained inspiration for his work from the army of terracotta warriors discovered in 1974 when the tomb of the 3rd century BC Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang was unearthed in the country's Xi'an province. An underground vault of some 12,000 square metres was found to house a staggering 8,000 terracotta sculptures, an incredible scene depicting warriors and their horses arranged in battle formation. Many believe they were created to defend the emperor's immortal soul. Some undertaking!! I hope his soul was worth it. 
Xia Nan used traditional Chinese lantern designs to accurately represent these terracotta soldiers, but also included in his work women and children arranged in groups. He chose to humanise this mind-blowing historic discovery by adding these touches, and 90 brightly coloured figures, some 2.5metres tall, arrived to populate the Old College quadrangle for the Chinese New Year. Every evening this striking display, lit from within, burst forth against the darkening night skies. The visual impact of this lantern army must be seen, so breath-taking is its impact. The rain may be bouncing of the rooftops, the wind whistling through every nook and cranny, but this exhibition brings a ray of sunshine into the depths of a miserable winter. You can walk amongst them, see close up the amount of work that has gone into bringing them to life. What a beautifully artistic way to welcome the Chinese New Year. One can only imagine the amount of work that went into creating these figures and bringing them to life. Tender moments, the expectant mother with her family, mingling with the might of the army, the warriors, the horse ...... every figure a work of art, every work of art created with love and dedication. Thank you Edinburgh and the Confucius Institute for Scotland for bringing this here for our enjoyment.
