The Dragon Dream Team welcomed the University of Akron’s Confucius Institute to town by bringing their dragon boat, Rex, into E.J. Thomas Hall to attend the Institute’s first event.  The Chinese culture festival participants could see a dragon boat and talk to Dragon Dream Team members to learn about the ancient Chinese water sport. Visitors to the Dragon Dream Team booth could get brochures and watch a video about the Dragon Dream Team.

Akron’s new Confucius Institute is part of an international network of Confucius Institutes, supported by the Chinese Ministry of Education, dedicated to “enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language and culture” around the world. The Confucius Institute will promote the expansion of Chinese language instruction through a range of educational and outreach activities to students, teachers, businesses and community members.