The Chinese New Year, aka Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is the most significant Chinese holiday. Rooted in mythology, it's said to have originated from the ancient fight against the mythical beast Nian, with the use of firecrackers and red decorations symbolizing luck and prosperity to ward off evil spirits. It has been celebrated for over 3,500 years, evolving from sacrificial ceremonies to the gods at the year's end for good harvests. Today, it initiates with the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February and lasts until the full moon, encompassing generally a 15-day period filled with various rituals and festivities, culminating in the Lantern Festival. Around 1/4 of the world’s population participates. Family reunions are central to the celebrations, with millions traveling home in one of the world's largest annual human migrations, known as Chunyun. Practices include thorough house cleaning to sweep away bad fortune, decorating homes with red lanterns and couplets, exchanging red envelopes (hongbao) containing money for luck, and enjoying lavish feasts with symbolic dishes, such as fish served whole (including head and tail) symbolizing a prosperous start and finish to the year. Each year is named after an animal, believed to influence personality traits and fortune, and associated with an element. 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon. More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Art&Text supported by ChatGPT.

The holder of this POAP met Kiliana Suzart-Woischnik at the Bayer Valentine's Day Party 14th of Feruary 2024. This person is probably open minded and highly interested in Innovation, Future of Medicine, Digital Health, and crazy stuff. Kiliana is a Brazilian German Physician, currently working at Bayer Pharmaceuticals in Berlin as Principal Epidemiologist at the Integrated Evidence Generation department. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiliana-suzart-woischnik/. Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuzartK.

The Carnaval de Argentina is a vibrant and diverse celebration that varies significantly across the country, reflecting the rich tapestry of Argentine culture. Its origins can be traced back to the colonial period, with significant influences from European and Indigenous traditions. The most famous celebrations occur in the provinces of Corrientes and Entre Ríos, particularly in the cities of Gualeguaychú, Corrientes, and Concordia, each offering its unique flavor of carnival festivities. One of the hallmark features of the Argentine carnival is the "comparsa," a musical group that performs in elaborate costumes, accompanied by dancers who parade through the streets. The Gualeguaychú Carnival, often referred to as the "Carnival of the Country," is especially renowned for its spectacular floats and costumes, drawing comparisons to the Rio Carnival in Brazil. Gualeguaychú alone hosts tens of thousands of spectators each weekend of the celebration; thousands participate in over 100 murgas in Buenos Aires, "Carnaval Porteño", alone. In 2024 the Buenos Aires Carnaval ends February 13th. The Carnaval was revived in the 2000s after a decades-long ban by the military dictatorship, highlighting its importance as a cultural expression and social protest. The event is not only a display of creativity and joy but also an economic booster, attracting tourists from across the globe. More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buenos_Aires_Carnival Art&Text supported by ChatGPT.

I’ve met Frank Dräger at the Bayer Berlin Sommerfest 2023. Frank is a visionary thinker - driven by passion and enthusiasm. His call: “I owe life the glow and tingle in my eyes.” Trust, empathy, loving people and the strong believe in the power of a meaningful purpose are the main principles of his life. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankdraeger/. Art by Lena Schermer. Bayer POAPs terms and conditions: https://bayer.com/poap