VOA标准英语2015--Africans in US Celebrate Africa Day with Music, Dances

Africans in US Celebrate Africa Day with Music, Dances

To celebrate this year’s Africa Day, the African Ambassadors Group to the U.S. held a series of events highlighting the progress the continent has made and the challenges that lie ahead.

From traditional dances from Rwanda and Ivory Coast to a whirling dervish, an Egyptian folk dance to Gnawa music from Morocco, it was a night of celebration.

“What is particularly important is that Africa is succeeding. Africa is on the rise. For decades in the past Africa was the continent with many problems. Today Africa is pulling its act together,” said Mohamed Tawfik, Egypt’s ambassador to the U.S. and co-chair of this year’s event. We are doing that because we are working together as a team. All Africans have these aspirations¹ and together we’ll be able to achieve them.”

Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal from Morocco said this year’s theme about empowering African women is of the essence. “Women in Africa are extraordinary; we just need to give them opportunities. Second, Europe, the U.S. where we are right now and other countries can help do more to empower women. There’s a lot being done but it’s not enough,” she said. “And I think that it’s a good opportunity on a day like today to inform people already about what women are doing but also what we can do more.”

South Sudan Ambassador to the U.S. Garang Diing Akuong said the continent is developing despite all the challenges.

'This is the century for Africa'

“We’ve seen socio-economic developments, strides in the technological³ development in Africa, innovations. This is the century for Africa; only that we need to stop some of the insecurities that are happening in the continent,” explained Akuong. “We need to embark⁴ in socio-economic development so that we stop our youths being frustrated⁵ and fleeing the continent looking for better opportunities.”

In addition to dance and music, some countries showcased products specific to their regions.

“Some agricultural products like coffee and tea, obviously presenting it in an industrial and modern form. But we also have traditions like the masks, which represents the 10 provinces that make up our country,” said Joseph Charles, FOE⁶ Atangana, ambassador of Cameroon.

A good way to mix business and pleasure. Africa Day celebrates the establishment of the Organization of African Unity², now known as the African Union, established in May of 1963. On this month, the African countries and their friends reflect on the successes and their continued goals and aspirations for a better future.

2015 has been declared a year of “Women Empowerment and Development Towards Achieving Africa Agenda 2063,” a roadmap for Africa’s long-term socio-economic transformation⁷ within the next 50 years.

1 aspirations   

强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音

参考例句：

• I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

4 embark   

vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机

参考例句：

• He is about to embark on a new business venture.他就要开始新的商业冒险活动。
• Many people embark for Europe at New York harbor.许多人在纽约港乘船去欧洲。

5 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 foe   

n.敌人，仇敌

参考例句：

• He knew that Karl could be an implacable foe.他明白卡尔可能会成为他的死敌。
• A friend is a friend;a foe is a foe;one must be clearly distinguished from the other.敌是敌，友是友，必须分清界限。

7 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。