VOA标准英语2014--Restored Friendship Bell Rings Again in Los Angeles 韩国友谊钟再次鸣响洛杉矶

 

Restored Friendship Bell Rings Again in Los Angeles 韩国友谊钟再次鸣响洛杉矶

LOS ANGELES — Over the years, what's known to some South Koreans as the West Coast Statue of Liberty had fallen into disrepair. The Korean Friendship Bell was a gift from Seoul to the American people for the U.S. bicentennial.  It's become a source of pride for the area's Korean-Americans. 

Now, thanks to a team of artisans, the bell has been restored to its former glory.

The restoration of “The Korean Friendship Bell” is long overdue¹, if you ask Los Angeles resident Angelic Lee.

“I’m so happy. Good to see again,” she said.

In 1976, to mark the U.S. bicentennial, the Republic of Korea presented the United States with the 18,000-kilogram bronze bell.

“Many Korean American immigrants who come here, often tell me, when they feel homesick, this is the place that they think of and come and visit,” said Ernest Lee, a member of the Korean Friendship Bell Committee.  

Lee says this home away from home for many Koreans living in Los Angeles began to deteriorate² after years of winter rains, exposure to salty ocean air, and improper³ maintenance. Korean Consul⁴ General, Yeon Sung Shin, remebers when he first saw the bell three years ago.

“The bell was not in good shape. The bell was on the ground," he said. "Disconnected. It was not properly cared for at all.”

But thanks to a large donation and artistic⁵ support from the Republic of Korea, the city of Los Angeles was able to restore the bell to its former glory.  Korean Bell Master Chai Dong-Hey and several South Korean artisans worked on the project for months.

“My portion is only a very small portion," Hey said. "After today, the Korean Friendship Bell committee will be responsible for its safety. Each and every day.”

For the Korean Bell Master, hearing the bell ring during the rededication ceremony is personal.

“It’s very great to hear because my teacher created it 38 years ago," he said. "And now I am able to fix it. It makes me very happy.”

Bells are symbolic⁶ in Korean culture, says Consul General Shin.

“This is the soul of Korean people. The history of Korean people. Heart of Korean people," he said. "Whatever issues you may talk about patriotism⁷, respect for parents, friendship, whatever this can be symbolized⁸ through the sound of the bell.”

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti made a personal commitment to ensure the Korean Friendship Bell never falls into disrepair again.

“We put up some physical barriers for birds. We’ve made sure that there is maintenance that we can have around," he said. "So I feel very confident that we will. And it’s the very least that we could do for the kind gift, a second time, from the Korean people.”

 

The Korean Friendship Bell rings only five times a year - including America's Independence Day, July 4 and August 15,  Korean Liberation Day.

1 overdue   

adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的

参考例句：

• The plane is overdue and has been delayed by the bad weather.飞机晚点了，被坏天气耽搁了。
• The landlady is angry because the rent is overdue.女房东生气了，因为房租过期未付。

2 deteriorate   

v.变坏；恶化；退化

参考例句：

• Do you think relations between China and Japan will continue to deteriorate?你认为中日关系会继续恶化吗？
• He held that this would only cause the situation to deteriorate further.他认为，这只会使局势更加恶化。

3 improper   

adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的

参考例句：

• Short trousers are improper at a dance.舞会上穿短裤不成体统。
• Laughing and joking are improper at a funeral.葬礼时大笑和开玩笑是不合适的。

4 consul   

n.领事；执政官

参考例句：

• A consul's duty is to help his own nationals.领事的职责是帮助自己的同胞。
• He'll hold the post of consul general for the United States at Shanghai.他将就任美国驻上海总领事(的职务)。

5 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。

6 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

7 patriotism   

n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• They obtained money under the false pretenses of patriotism.他们以虚伪的爱国主义为借口获得金钱。

8 symbolized   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• For Tigress, Joy symbolized the best a woman could expect from life. 在她看，小福子就足代表女人所应有的享受。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
• A car symbolized distinction and achievement, and he was proud. 汽车象征着荣誉和成功，所以他很自豪。 来自辞典例句