Firecrackers End Chinese New Year Celebrations
鞭炮声中结束中国新年庆祝活动
By Chia-Chin Ho, David Lee
【新闻关键字】
1. firecracker ：n. 鞭炮、爆竹
2. precious ：adj. 珍贵的
3. endure ：v. 忍受
4. devise：v. 设计
5. ventilation：n.通风，空气流通
6. pyrotechnic：adj. 烟火的
From north to south, Taiwan celebrated the lantern festival with firecrackers blasting away on Sunday, to pray for good fortune in the upcoming year, and also mark the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.
从北到南，在周日当天，台湾各地施放鞭炮来庆祝元宵节，以祈求新的一年能有好运，这也代表着农历新年的庆祝活动结束了。
Fishermen along the northern coast by Yehliu port walked on fire while carrying sedan chairs, then jumped into water in a temple festival to pray for safe journey at sea.
北海岸野柳港口的渔民们，在庙会庆典上抬着轿子走在火上，然后跳进海中来祈求海上的旅程能一切平安。
The festival attracted scores of tourists.
这项庆典吸引了许多的游客。
“It’s very sacred and holy because this is a precious local cultural practice.”
“这是非常神圣且圣洁的，因为这是一个珍贵的地方文化习俗。”
In the eastern Taitung County, men volunteered to be showered by fireworks. The tradition is known as bombing Han Dan, and is considered as a stroke of good luck.
”在位于东部的台东县，男人们自告奋勇地让施放的烟火烟花洒落在他们身上。这传统被称为“炸寒单”，这也被认为是种求得好运的方式。
The custom involves dressing up as Han Dan, the god of wealth, and allowing people to throw firecrackers at you.
这项习俗包括装扮成财神爷—寒单爷的样子，然后让人们对你投掷鞭炮。
The participating men endure the pain to get rid of evil spirits and to change their luck for the year ahead.
参加的人们忍受这些疼痛以摆脱邪灵，然后改变他们来年的运气。
This event is often dangerous without proper protection. Most participants cover themselves from head to toe with helmets, masks, gloves and heavy jackets.
这项活动在没有适当的保护下，往往是很危险的。所以大多数的参与者，都会将自己从头到脚穿戴上头盔、口罩、手套和大衣来保护自己。
Some even devised their own protection gear.
有的人甚至设计了他们自己的防护装备。
“This has good ventilation, and the front is taped to prevent sparks from getting into the eyes.”
“这有很好的通风，且前方用胶布盖住，以防止火花跑进眼睛里。”
33 people were wounded at this year’s lantern festival site by fireworks that went off in the wrong directions.
今年的元宵节有33人受伤，是因当时鞭炮施放的方向错误所致。
The accident happened during a pyrotechnic show in Chiayi City.
这起意外发生在嘉义市烟火秀施放的时侯。
Injured tourists were treated at local hospitals. Government officials later apologized and promised compensation.
受伤的游客被送往当地医院接受治疗。政府官员后来表示道歉，并且承诺赔偿。
本新闻影音出处：新唐人电视台英语新闻
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2010-03-01/178424165244.html
【每日一句】
It seems like I caught a cold. 我好像感冒了
【今日谚语】
Kings go mad, and the people suffer for it.
君王发狂，百姓遭殃
