2006年VOA标准英语-Music, Candles Usher in Liberia's Inaugura

By Nico Colombant
Liberia
15 January 2006

 
Liberian President elect Ellen Johnson Sirleaf waves at the crowds during pre-inaugural¹ celebrations in Monrovia, Liberia, Jan. 14, 2006
  
Spiritual music and candles symbolizing² hope for peace and a better future have ushered³ in inauguration⁴ festivities for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in war-shattered Liberia. The country has become the first in Africa to elect a female president.

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Music praising Liberia's president-elect, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and United Nations peacekeepers enchanted⁵ thousands at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium late into the night Saturday to kick-off several days of inauguration festivities.

At the highlight of the celebration, the crowd lit candles symbolizing peace with participants on the stadium's football field closely guarding the flames from being blown out by the wind.

Most of the music had religious overtones.

A 16-year old spectator was both idealistic and practical, saying she hopes Mrs. Sirleaf will be able to help her fulfill⁶ her dream of becoming a doctor.

"Well, I'm waiting for her to do good for her country," she said. "I want for her to help us, we the youth, to go back to school, because most of us, we are not going to school …we should go back to school and learn, so we can be like her tomorrow too."

Another teenager, Vivian, who sang a song about love, said she hoped the new president would live up to her campaign promises.

"I hope that what she said, she will do it. She won't turn her back on us like others. She said she's going to help form the line of education, bring light and make us to live like before, like normal things, the way the life our parents were living, she said that's what she wanted to do," said Vivian.
 

Supporter of Ms. Sirleaf   
  
One young man, Bill, said he was happy to rally behind Mrs. Sirleaf, even though many young men voted for her opponent in the presidential vote, former soccer star George Weah.

"Being the very first successful woman to become a president, to lead a state, it's very, very, great for Liberia. She's a veteran politician, she's a persistent⁷ woman, she's a brilliant woman and she's [very] much a leader," Bil added.

Sunday, Mrs. Sirleaf prayed at Monrovia's First United Methodist Church, before attending a program by women's organizations at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.

Because of the inaugural festivities, Monrovia is under heavy security with many main streets blocked off. This will intensify⁸ Monday when the actual swearing-in takes place on parliament grounds.

1 inaugural   

adj.就职的；n.就职典礼

参考例句：

• We listened to the President's inaugural speech on the radio yesterday.昨天我们通过无线电听了总统的就职演说。
• Professor Pearson gave the inaugural lecture in the new lecture theatre.皮尔逊教授在新的阶梯讲堂发表了启用演说。

2 symbolizing   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This symbol later evolved into a common hieroglyphic symbolizing victory. 这幕场景后来逐渐演化为象征胜利的普通象形文字。 来自时文部分
• Mooncakes reunion, is symbolizing the Mid-Autumn festival will feed. 月饼象征着团圆，是中秋佳节必食之品。 来自互联网

3 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

5 enchanted   

adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• She was enchanted by the flowers you sent her. 她非常喜欢你送给她的花。
• He was enchanted by the idea. 他为这个主意而欣喜若狂。

6 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

7 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

8 intensify   

vt.加强；变强；加剧

参考例句：

• We must intensify our educational work among our own troops.我们必须加强自己部队的教育工作。
• They were ordered to intensify their patrols to protect our air space.他们奉命加强巡逻，保卫我国的领空。