VOA慢速英语2014 AS IT IS 2014-05-16 Cross-Dressing Singer Upsets Russia

 

AS IT IS 2014-05-16 Cross-Dressing Singer Upsets Russia

The results of the recent Eurovision Song Contest caused a strong reaction in Russia. They also worsened relations between Russia and Europe. 

The Eurovision Song Contest was held last weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark. An estimated 180 million people in 45 countries watched the event. As we hear from Katherine Cole, the winner was from Austria.

That was Conchita Wurst performing the song “Rise Like a Phoenix¹.” The act received more votes than the 25 other finalists in the competition this year.

It was the performer’s appearance that made news. Conchita Wurst is a man who wears women’s clothing. He has hair covering his face and reaching over his shoulders. The performer said he was honored to win the contest. He called it a victory for European values.

It was a victory not just for me, he said, but also for those people who believe in a future without discrimination and which is based on tolerance² and respect.

Those words were widely seen as a criticism of Russia. Last year, the Russian government approved laws against what it called “homosexual propaganda.” The laws bar public events and the spread of information about non-traditional sexual relations to the very young.

In Moscow, there was widespread disbelief at Conchita Wurst’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. 

Russia finished seventh in the competition. Many people in the crowd expressed their disapproval³ of the performers from Russia. The Russian judges gave all their votes to countries that once belonged to the Soviet⁴ Union.

Last Sunday, Russian conductor Valery Gergiev organized a concert in London. The musician is a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

About 30 anti-Putin protesters demonstrated for a short time as the show began. Among them was human rights activist⁵ Peter Tatchell.

“We thought it was very important to challenge Valery Gergiev over his support for President Putin; his endorsement⁶ of Russia’s anti-gay law, and his approval of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.”

Some people would say Russia is facing the beginnings of a cultural backlash in Europe. But there was one surprising result -- both Russia and Ukraine voted for each other in the Eurovision song contest.

1 phoenix   

n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生

参考例句：

• The airline rose like a phoenix from the ashes.这家航空公司又起死回生了。
• The phoenix worship of China is fetish worship not totem adoration.中国凤崇拜是灵物崇拜而非图腾崇拜。

2 tolerance   

n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差

参考例句：

• Tolerance is one of his strengths.宽容是他的一个优点。
• Human beings have limited tolerance of noise.人类对噪音的忍耐力有限。

3 disapproval   

n.反对，不赞成

参考例句：

• The teacher made an outward show of disapproval.老师表面上表示不同意。
• They shouted their disapproval.他们喊叫表示反对。

4 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

5 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

6 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。