VOA标准英语2010年-Smithsonian Folklife Festival Celebrat

Clinton Calls for Reflection¹ on US Ideals² During July 4 Independence Day Holiday
More than a million people are gathering³ in Washington ahead of Sunday's Independence Day festivities as well as for the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. For more than four decades, the Folklife Festival has showcased cultures from across the United States and the world.

The festival is the premiere cultural event for tourists and takes place not far from the Capitol on the National Mall.

The cultures of Mexico and Asian-Pacific Americans are being featured this year. 

Steve Kidd, the festival's director, says people come here to learn about and experience the cultures from the United States and around the world. 

"The festival was really founded upon the idea that tradition bearers know their culture better than any of us here at the Smithsonian do," said Steve Kidd. "So we bring them here to the National Mall so they can demonstrate⁴ their traditions and be honored⁵ in front of the public that come to the festival."

Sylvia Ching from Hawaii teaches kids how to make flowered hand bracelets⁶. She says she's proud of her culture and wants to share it.

"The importance is letting people know how wonderful Hawaii is and we want them to know they can go there if they want to," she said. "Many people love it there." Kidd says the festival attracts thousands of international tourists.

"They really come here to experience the depth and breath of world culture and American culture in a way that you cannot really do anywhere else," Kidd said.

In a tea room, visitors learn how to make and cook Japanese Soba noodles

They also observe a traditional Mexican limpia, or cleansing⁷ ceremony, where the Wixárica people search the body for pain and negative energy, and say prayers to expel⁸ them. 

Nearby, others look to the sky as men swing in the air from ropes, a tradition celebrating a Mexican corn harvest. Richard Kurin, is the undersecretary for history and culture at the Smithsonian Institution.

"I look at it as a wonderful cultural conversation," said Kurin. "It is a way where Americans and people from other countries can share their cultures with each other and learn."

Organizers of the festival say the event also showcases the Smithsonian's nearby museums where people can learn more about art, space and American history.
 

1 reflection   

n.映象，倒影；反射；反映；非议；深思

参考例句：

• The reflection of the sun on the glass wall was blinding.玻璃墙上反射的太阳光令人目眩。
• One can see the reflection of the tower in the water.塔的影子倒映在水中。

2 ideals   

n.理想的事物[人]( ideal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This terrorists brainwashed him into believing in their ideals. 恐怖分子迫使他相信他们的理想。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One of his ideals is to become a pianist. 他的理想之一是成为钢琴家。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

4 demonstrate   

vt.论证，证明；示范；显示；vi.示威游行

参考例句：

• Let me demonstrate to you how this machine works.我给你演示一下这台机器的运转情况。
• How can I demonstrate to you that my story is true?我怎样才能向你证明我的话是真实的呢？

5 honored   

adj.光荣的：荣幸的v.尊敬，给以荣誉( honor的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I hope to be honored with further orders. 如蒙惠顾，不胜荣幸。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This is a time-honored custom. 这是一个古老的习俗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 bracelets   

n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The lamplight struck a gleam from her bracelets. 她的手镯在灯光的照射下闪闪发亮。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• On display are earrings, necklaces and bracelets made from jade, amber and amethyst. 展出的有用玉石、琥珀和紫水晶做的耳环、项链和手镯。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 cleansing   

n. 净化(垃圾) adj. 清洁用的 动词cleanse的现在分词

参考例句：

• medicated cleansing pads for sensitive skin 敏感皮肤药物清洗棉
• Soap is not the only cleansing agent. 肥皂并不是唯一的清洁剂。

8 expel   

vt.把...开除，驱逐，放逐，排出，喷出

参考例句：

• They were told at first that they should simply expel the refugees.一开始有人告诉他们应该直接将那些难民驱逐出境。
• The headmaster may expel the boy from the school.校长可能要把那个男孩从学校开除。