VOA标准英语2014--独立日在乌克兰东部新的意义

 

Independence Day in Eastern Ukraine Takes on New Meaning 独立日在乌克兰东部新的意义

SLOVYANSK, UKRAINE—

Independence Day took on a special meaning Sunday in Slovyansk, Ukraine, a town that, earlier this year, was under the control of pro-Russian separatists. But a new nationalist fervor¹ is sweeping² the city as residents fight for a more Ukrainian future.

Take the activity buzzing at city hall in Slovyansk. Citizens confronted the chairman of a local machinery³ plant, Pavel Pridvorov, who was vying⁴ for the position as acting⁵ mayor.

Angry residents accuse him of supporting the pro-Russian separatists who took control of the town in April and were ousted⁶ by Ukrainian forces last month.

Valentina, a local businesswoman takes the floor to condemn⁷ the current city council.

“The executive authority didn't do anything," she said, speaking in Russian. "Moreover, when everything happened, they all unanimously and quietly supported it. I think the old staff has no moral right.”

Tired and angry after months of fighting, citizens are demanding a change in the city's formerly⁸ pro-Russian leadership.

The harshest comments are directed at Privorov himself, accused by this woman of supplying separatist forces with material from his machine plant.

Privorov does his best to defend himself.

“We never gave any equipment willingly. I will say it again. We didn't give any equipment willingly, only under the barrel of the gun.”

It is a festive⁹ atmosphere in Slovyansk as Ukrainians here mark 23 years since the country became independent from the Soviet¹⁰ Union.

This year, citizens are re-evaluating their country's future, embracing a new-found Ukrainian nationalism that has risen up in resistance to the separatist movement.

Ina is a Slovyansk resident and a mother of two. Through an interpreter, she was grateful for current peaceful conditions. 

"Ukraine is a great country and we've survived. But now I think everything will be different, a new history will start, glory to Ukraine," she said. 

The city still bears the marks of the heavy fighting that took place here. But battles between rebels and Ukrainian forces continue in the nearby cities of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Ukraine and its allies accuse Russia of supplying the separatists, though Moscow denies any involvement.

Volunteer soldiers who helped free the city now patrol the streets of Slovyansk to make sure separatists do not return.

Their deputy commander, Yuri Chebon, expressed confidence that overall victory is in sight. 

“They came as volunteers," he said through an interpreter. "They understand they have to defend our country, the integrity of our country, no matter who invades or who wants to oppose us. We will win.”

But despite the optimism, Ukraine still has a long way to go to win the battle in the east, which some are starting to see as part of a prolonged fight for independence.

1 fervor   

n.热诚；热心；炽热

参考例句：

• They were concerned only with their own religious fervor.他们只关心自己的宗教热诚。
• The speech aroused nationalist fervor.这个演讲喚起了民族主义热情。

2 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

3 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

4 vying   

adj.竞争的；比赛的

参考例句：

• California is vying with other states to capture a piece of the growing communications market.为了在日渐扩大的通讯市场分得一杯羹，加利福尼亚正在和其他州展开竞争。
• Four rescue plans are vying to save the zoo.4个拯救动物园的方案正争得不可开交。

5 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

6 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

7 condemn   

vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑

参考例句：

• Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。
• We mustn't condemn him on mere suppositions.我们不可全凭臆测来指责他。

8 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

9 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

10 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。