VOA标准英语2014--Memorial Torch Shines Light on Rwanda's Past and Present

 

Memorial Torch Shines Light on Rwanda's Past and Present 

NDERA, RWANDA — A traveling memorial torch is making its way across Rwanda on the way to Kigali for commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide.  The most recent stop was in the town of Ndera east of the capital.

In a simple ceremony, neither solemn nor formal, the flame of remembrance is passed from town to town, giving each region of the country its chance to reflect on how far Rwanda has come since the genocide 20 years ago.

Organizers say the flame represents remembrance, resillience and courage.

Hundreds of people have turned out to observe the ceremony ahead of a national week of mourning that takes place every year.

Phocas Kabayire is among those paying respect.

“The reason why I came here is because of this flame, which shows where we came from and where we are going, and also it makes us stronger to remember what happened in this country," said Kabayire.

A video depicts¹ the horror of the genocide, when ethnic² Hutu extremists killed hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsis and some moderate Hutus.

Today, ethnicity is rarely mentioned. And attendees here, like Ariette Kancime, say old divides have been mended.

“The reconciliation³ has been successful. Even though I wasn't here during the genocide, I can see the way people are forgiving each other. Frankly⁴ speaking, the survivors⁵ have forgiven the killers," said Kancime.

For those who are too young to remember the genocide, the memorial serves as a lesson to avoid a repeat of the past.

Defense⁶ Minister James Kabarebe issued a stern warning to those who threaten the government.

“There are some who tried to [take the country backward] and there are those who have this ideology⁷, they are there, but what I know, they will die with that ideology," said Kabarebe.

His message follows the recent assassination⁸ of a Rwandan opposition⁹ leader in South Africa. The government denies involvement in the killing¹⁰.

 

From here the torch will travel to the capital, where the president will on Monday use it to light a national flame of mourning.

1 depicts   

描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述

参考例句：

• The book vividly depicts French society of the 1930s. 这本书生动地描绘了20 世纪30 年代的法国社会。
• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively. 他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。

2 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

3 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

4 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

5 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 ideology   

n.意识形态，(政治或社会的)思想意识

参考例句：

• The ideology has great influence in the world.这种思想体系在世界上有很大的影响。
• The ideal is to strike a medium between ideology and inspiration.我的理想是在意识思想和灵感鼓动之间找到一个折衷。

8 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

9 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

10 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。