Firecrackers End Chinese New Year Celebrations
鞭炮聲中結束中國新年慶祝活動
By Chia-Chin Ho, David Lee
【新聞關鍵字】
1. firecracker ：n. 鞭砲、爆竹
2. precious ：adj. 珍貴的
3. endure ：v. 忍受
4. devise：v. 設計
5. ventilation：n.通風，空氣流通
6. pyrotechnic：adj. 煙火的
From north to south, Taiwan celebrated the lantern festival with firecrackers blasting away on Sunday, to pray for good fortune in the upcoming year, and also mark the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.
從北到南，在週日當天，台灣各地施放鞭炮來慶祝元宵節，以祈求新的一年能有好運，這也代表著農曆新年的慶祝活動結束了。
Fishermen along the northern coast by Yehliu port walked on fire while carrying sedan chairs, then jumped into water in a temple festival to pray for safe journey at sea.
北海岸野柳港口的漁民們，在廟會慶典上抬著轎子走在火上，然後跳進海中來祈求海上的旅程能一切平安。
The festival attracted scores of tourists.
這項慶典吸引了許多的遊客。
“It’s very sacred and holy because this is a precious local cultural practice.”
“這是非常神聖且聖潔的，因為這是一個珍貴的地方文化習俗。”
In the eastern Taitung County, men volunteered to be showered by fireworks. The tradition is known as bombing Han Dan, and is considered as a stroke of good luck.
”在位於東部的台東縣，男人們自告奮勇地讓施放的煙火煙花灑落在他們身上。這傳統被稱為“炸寒單”，這也被認為是種求得好運的方式。
The custom involves dressing up as Han Dan, the god of wealth, and allowing people to throw firecrackers at you.
這項習俗包括裝扮成財神爺—寒單爺的樣子，然後讓人們對你投擲鞭炮。
The participating men endure the pain to get rid of evil spirits and to change their luck for the year ahead.
參加的人們忍受這些疼痛以擺脫邪靈，然後改變他們來年的運氣。
This event is often dangerous without proper protection. Most participants cover themselves from head to toe with helmets, masks, gloves and heavy jackets.
這項活動在沒有適當的保護下，往往是很危險的。所以大多數的參與者，都會將自己從頭到腳穿戴上頭盔、口罩、手套和大衣來保護自己。
Some even devised their own protection gear.
有的人甚至設計了他們自己的防護裝備。
“This has good ventilation, and the front is taped to prevent sparks from getting into the eyes.”
“這有很好的通風，且前方用膠布蓋住，以防止火花跑進眼睛裡。”
33 people were wounded at this year’s lantern festival site by fireworks that went off in the wrong directions.
今年的元宵節有33人受傷，是因當時鞭炮施放的方向錯誤所致。
The accident happened during a pyrotechnic show in Chiayi City.
這起意外發生在嘉義市煙火秀施放的時侯。
Injured tourists were treated at local hospitals. Government officials later apologized and promised compensation.
受傷的遊客被送往當地醫院接受治療。政府官員後來表示道歉，並且承諾賠償。
本新聞影音出處：新唐人電視台英語新聞
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2010-03-01/178424165244.html
【每日一句】
It seems like I caught a cold. 我好像感冒了
【今日諺語】
Kings go mad, and the people suffer for it.
君王發狂，百姓遭殃
