2006年VOA标准英语-Historic Iraqi City Hopes To Become Touris

By Brian Padden
Irbil, Iraq
11 January 2006
 
watch Iraq Citadel¹ report

The northern Kurdish city of Irbil is one of the oldest cities in the world.  Located along an important trade route, Irbil came under control of the great empires of the ancient world including the Assyrians, Persians and even Alexander the Great.  Ongoing² violence in Iraq is presently preventing foreign archeologists from exploring this historic site.  

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Ancient citadel of Irbil  
  

The ancient citadel of Irbil overlooks the hustle³ and bustle⁴ of everyday life in the modern city.  Scholars believe this historic Iraqi city is over 5,000 years old and may be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.  

Kanan Mufti, director for antiquities⁵ in the western Kurdish region, says over the years the population has remained constant in number. 

But the character of the neighborhood has changed dramatically from housing the city's elite⁶ in the past to today providing shelter for refugees who escaped persecution⁷ by Saddam Hussein. 

Kanan Mufti   
  
"In my opinion Irbil and the citadel will become a center of cultural and intellectual exchange among different people, and not only for intellectuals and tourists but also for archeologists."

In the future, he adds, he hopes to relocate the refugees and restore the citadel's historic prominence⁸.

This vision of the citadel as an artistic⁹ enclave and historic tourist destination is slowly taking shape.  Some of elaborate old homes are being used as backdrops for local filmmakers.  

Carpets on display  
  
Lolan Mustifa opened the Kurdish Textile Museum over a year ago, which preserves and displays intricately designed carpets made by local tribes.  He says he wants to preserve traditions of old.  

 
Lolan Mustifa
  
"So we are trying to learn from the older generations of tribes but still it is not so clear as to how these designs are transferred from one generation to the next."  

He says his museum, which already gets about 50 visitors a day, demonstrates real potential even in these dangerous times.  

"It is a good sign for showing Kurdish culture, art and history and the kind of stability that they can hang around in the citadel." 

 
Matthew Saint Dizier
  
The citadel has also attracted French artist Matthew Saint Dizier.  He opened a French cultural center in 2004, which occasionally shows French films, and currently is displaying an exhibit of post World War II photographs.   He sees something pure and pioneering about bringing art to this troubled part of the world.

He says, "I was looking for a new land for making art.  Step by step we make it.  If nobody comes it is not a problem.  We make it.  It's important to make something." 

It is difficult to see the Irbil of the present as a tourist destination.  But with time, stability and peace, the city's proponents¹⁰ believe its past prominence can be restored. 

1 citadel   

n.城堡；堡垒；避难所

参考例句：

• The citadel was solid.城堡是坚固的。
• This citadel is built on high ground for protecting the city.这座城堡建于高处是为保护城市。

2 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

3 hustle   

v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌)

参考例句：

• It seems that he enjoys the hustle and bustle of life in the big city.看起来他似乎很喜欢大城市的热闹繁忙的生活。
• I had to hustle through the crowded street.我不得不挤过拥挤的街道。

4 bustle   

v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹

参考例句：

• The bustle and din gradually faded to silence as night advanced.随着夜越来越深，喧闹声逐渐沉寂。
• There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the railway station.火车站里非常拥挤。

5 antiquities   

n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯

参考例句：

• There is rest and healing in the contemplation of antiquities. 欣赏古物有休息和疗养之功。 来自辞典例句
• Bertha developed a fine enthusiasm for the antiquities of London. 伯沙对伦敦的古迹产生了很大的热情。 来自辞典例句

6 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

7 persecution   

n. 迫害,烦扰

参考例句：

• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
• Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。

8 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。

9 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

10 proponents   

n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Reviewing courts were among the most active proponents of hybrid rulemaking procedures. 复审法院是最积极的混合型规则制定程序的建议者。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Proponents of such opinions were arrested as 'traitors. ' 提倡这种主张的人马上作为“卖国贼”逮捕起来。 来自辞典例句