The countdown is on for South Sudan's independence July 9, and the country's future capital is making its final preparations for the big day.
距离7月9日南苏丹的独立日期，已经进入倒计时阶段。
Joy in Juba
"Right now we're on one of Juba's main streets, which has been closed down for a parade. It's a massive event with thousands of people, some from civil groups, some from student groups chanting, singing, welcoming the new independence as they walk toward the parade grounds that will host Saturday's ceremonies," reports VOA's East Africa Correspondent Gabe Joselow from Juba. "Nothing to say about it, except that its just unbridled enthusiasm and joy, and quite a scene to behold."
Juba, the future capital of southern Sudan, is buzzing with excitement as the country prepares to officially declare independence Saturday.
南苏丹未来的首都朱巴充满着忙乱和兴奋的气氛。这个新兴国家将于这个星期六正式宣告独立。
Remembering John Garang
The ceremony itself will be held at the John Garang mausoleum - a stadium that honors the man who led southern rebels during Sudan's 20-year civil war.
庆典将在约翰加朗体育场举行，这个场地是以领导南苏丹进行20年内战的一位人物命名的。
One of the most anticipated moments will be the first performance of the country's brand new national anthem.
庆典中最让人期待的节目之一，将是国家乐团首次演奏这个新国家的国歌。
Susan Junua is part of a national choir that has been recruited to teach the anthem to people around the country.
国家合唱团的苏珊·朱努亚被征召出来教全国民众唱国歌。
The words, written by students and faculty at Juba University, reflect hope, a respect for God and a commemoration of those who died during years of conflict.
国歌的歌词是朱巴大学的师生共同创作的。它反映着希望，对上帝的敬仰，和对内战期间死难同胞的追念。
Junua says independence marks a new beginning.
朱努亚说，南苏丹的独立，象征着一个新的开始。
"As a South Sudanese, the independence is a freedom. To my life, because we have been tortured, we have been in slavery for many years," said Junua.
她说：“对于一个南苏丹人，独立就是自由。因为在我一生中，我们曾经遭受虐待，曾经在奴役中度过许多岁月。”
Security
Following so many years of war, the presence of military on the streets of Juba is overwhelming. Soldiers and police have been conducting security checks, and occasionally shutting down the town's few paved roads to help prepare for the festivities.
由于历经多年的战争，朱巴街头布满军队。士兵和警察负责安全检查。偶而会为了方便庆典的准备工作，封闭街道。
But the citizens of the town are looking forward to a new era of peace.
不过，市上的居民已经在盼望一个新的和平时期的来临。
Joseph Otumoro, who goes to a Catholic school in Juba, hopes with independence, there will be more opportunities for students like him.
在朱巴一所天主教学校就读的约瑟夫·奥图莫罗，希望独立能为像他一样的青年学生，带来更多的机会。
"Every youth should get educated at least, this is what I need because we were marginalized and a lot of people did not get a chance to go to school and that is why I need that change," he said.
奥图莫罗说：“至少每一个年青人都应该受教育，这是我需要的，因为我们过去被边缘化。很多人都没有机会求学。所以我需要这项改变。”
Ceremonies
Hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including the heads of state of 30 African countries, are expected to arrive for the ceremony. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been listed as one of the key speakers.
数百名外国政要，包括非洲三十个国家的元首，预定将前来出席独立庆典。联合国秘书长潘基文将是庆典上主要演讲者之一。
And in another much anticipated moment, entering the parade grounds to the tune of Sudan's current national anthem, will be President Omar al-Bashir.
庆典中另一个大家预期的程序，将是苏丹总统巴希尔在苏丹国歌声中进入游行行列。
Bashir represents for many the years of oppression against southern Sudan by Khartoum in the north.
巴希尔总统是多年来，北苏丹喀土穆当局迫害南苏丹的象征性人物。
And his presence will almost certainly cause mixed emotions for some as the Sudanese flag is lowered, and the new, six-colored flag of South Sudan, is raised on independence day.
当苏丹国旗在庆典中降下，南苏丹六色国旗冉冉升起之际，巴希尔的现身其间，势必激起某些人的复杂情绪。 |