VOA标准英语2015--华盛顿樱花盛开带来春天的希望

Cherry Blossoms Are Signs of Spring, Hope in Washington 华盛顿樱花盛开带来春天的希望

Washington's famous cherry trees, gifts from Japan more than a century ago, continue to announce the arrival of spring with vibrant¹ colors.

They also inspired a festival that draws more than 1 million visitors to the District of Columbia every year. This year's festival will end its 24-day run on Sunday — and the blossoms are to reach their peak bloom this weekend.

Ann McClellan, author of "Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival," said the blossoms are an inspiration.

"Everyone from anywhere can experience how beautiful they are and know that hope comes with them no matter how bad the winter is," she said.

The cherry blossoms also symbolize² the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. In 1912, Tokyo donated 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, which planted them around the Tidal Basin.

"They were given with the intent to thank the U.S. for its role in brokering³ the peace treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War," McClellan said.

But during World War II,  after Japan attacked the U.S. naval⁴ base at Pearl Harbor, some of the cherry trees were cut down. McClellan said local people formed groups to protect the rest of the trees.

"They patrolled the Tidal Basin area at night to make sure no other trees were cut down," she said. "They did call the trees the oriental cherry trees for the remainder of the war."

The tradition of the National Cherry Blossom Festival started in 1935. Bob Vogel, national capital regional director for the National Park Service, said that over the years, the event has evolved into a celebration of the culture, art, music and friendship of the two nations.

"It's a wonderful bonding experience between our two countries," he said. "Of course, that was the original idea, and I think it's really fostered and grown."

1 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。

2 symbolize   

vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表

参考例句：

• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
• Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。

3 brokering   

v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的现在分词 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排…

参考例句：

• Intertwined with these were rivalry, power brokering, and patronage. 然而也不乏有抗争、强权操纵与任命特权交织其中。 来自互联网
• Kingston Quest Can Assist Your Company In Negotiations, Brokering, Agency Services, Sourcing Factories Or Property. 金士顿追求，可帮助您的公司在谈判中，经纪，代理服务，货源工厂或财产。 来自互联网

4 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。