Notting Hill Carnival（诺丁山儿童节）

    The Notting Hill Carnival¹ has been taking place in London, on the last weekend in August, every year since 1964.
    This great festival began initially² from the energies of Black immigrants (黑人移民) from the Caribbean, particularly from Trinidad (特立尼达岛), where the Carnival tradition is very strong, and from people living locally who dreamed of (梦想着) creating a festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, most of whom were facing racism³ (种族主义), lack of (缺乏) working opportunities, poor housing conditions resulting in (导致) a general suppression of good self-esteem (自尊).
    Labroke Grove⁴ is the heart of the spectacular Notting Hill Carnival, held each August Bank Holiday since 1964. This holiday always falls on the last weekend of August with Sunday and Monday being the major carnival days. There are scores of massive 'sound systems', many spectacular floats (游行彩车) and steel drum bands additionally. There are hundreds of stalls (货摊) lining⁵ the streets of the area selling all sorts of food and drink including Caribbean specialities (特产).
    Five disciplines go to make up the carnival as we know it today. Mas' from (costume, Masquerade), Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion⁶ (结合)of Soul and Calypso) and Static Sound Systems all play their part on the two days of Carnival-on-the-Road.
    Decked (装饰) in spectacular colors, hundreds of children got their parade under way on Sunday, ahead of more than 100 floats and thousands of performers who will stage the main parade on Monday. Party-goers will eat, drink and dance their way through the terraced streets (带有台阶的街道)The carnival, which takes place in the streets of a west London district made famous by the movie ``Notting Hill'' starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, has become one of the most celebrated⁷ symbols of multi-cultural Britain.

1 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。

2 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

3 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

4 grove   

n.林子，小树林，园林

参考例句：

• On top of the hill was a grove of tall trees.山顶上一片高大的树林。
• The scent of lemons filled the grove.柠檬香味充满了小树林。

5 lining   

n.衬里，衬料

参考例句：

• The lining of my coat is torn.我的外套衬里破了。
• Moss makes an attractive lining to wire baskets.用苔藓垫在铁丝篮里很漂亮。

6 fusion   

n.溶化；熔解；熔化状态，熔和；熔接

参考例句：

• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc. 黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。
• This alloy is formed by the fusion of two types of metal.这种合金是用两种金属熔合而成的。

7 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。