VOA标准英语2011--South Sudan Puts on Dress Rehearsal for

South Sudan Puts on Dress Rehearsal¹ for Independence

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.
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 behold²."
Juba, the future capital of southern Sudan, is buzzing with excitement as the country prepares to officially declare independence Saturday.
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.
One of the most anticipated moments will be the first performance of the country's brand new national anthem³.
Susan Junua is part of a national choir⁴ that has been recruited to teach the anthem to people around the country.
The words, written by students and faculty⁵ at Juba University, reflect hope, a respect for God and a commemoration of those who died during years of conflict.
Junua says independence marks a new beginning.
"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.
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.
But the citizens of the town are looking forward to a new era of peace.
Joseph Otumoro, who goes to a Catholic school in Juba, hopes with independence, there will be more opportunities for students like him.
"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.
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.
And in another much anticipated moment, entering the parade grounds to the tune⁶ of Sudan's current national anthem, will be President Omar al-Bashir.
Bashir represents for many the years of oppression against southern Sudan by Khartoum in the north.
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.

1 rehearsal   

n.排练，排演；练习

参考例句：

• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
• You can sharpen your skills with rehearsal.排练可以让技巧更加纯熟。

2 behold   

v.看，注视，看到

参考例句：

• The industry of these little ants is wonderful to behold.这些小蚂蚁辛勤劳动的样子看上去真令人惊叹。
• The sunrise at the seaside was quite a sight to behold.海滨日出真是个奇景。

3 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

4 choir   

n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• The church choir is singing tonight.今晚教堂歌唱队要唱诗。

5 faculty   

n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员

参考例句：

• He has a great faculty for learning foreign languages.他有学习外语的天赋。
• He has the faculty of saying the right thing at the right time.他有在恰当的时候说恰当的话的才智。

6 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。