新版人教版高中英语必修第三册 Unit 1 WHY DO WE CELEBRATE FESTIVALS?

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE FESTIVALS?

我们为何庆祝节日？

Festivals are celebrated all around the world.

世界各地都会举办各类节日庆祝活动。

They have a wide range of origins, such as the seasons of the year, religions, famous figures, and important events.

节日的起源多种多样，比如四季更迭、宗教信仰、知名人物以及重大事件。

Every festival has its different customs and unique charms.

每个节日都有着与众不同的习俗与独特魅力。

However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.

然而，尽管各地节日看似千差万别，但分享喜悦、心怀感恩、传递爱意、祈求安宁的内核，是全世界所有节日共通的精神。

Of all the traditional festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture.

在所有传统节日里，丰收节几乎存在于每一种文化之中。

This important agricultural festival takes place after all the crops have been gathered in.

这个重要的农事节日，在所有庄稼收割完毕后举办。

People celebrate to show that they are grateful for the year's supply of food.

人们举办庆祝活动，以此感恩这一年粮食的馈赠。

In ancient Egypt, the harvest festival was celebrated during the springtime—the Egyptian harvest season.

古埃及的丰收节在春季举办，春季正是埃及的收获时节。

It featured a parade and a great feast with music, dancing, and sports.

节日里会举行游行，还有一场盛大宴会，搭配音乐、舞蹈与各类竞技活动。

Today, in some European countries, people decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit, and get together to celebrate over a meal.

如今，在部分欧洲国家，人们会用鲜花、水果装饰教堂与市政厅，欢聚一堂共享宴席来庆祝。

During the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, families gather to admire the shining moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes.

在中国的中秋节，家家户户团聚在一起，共赏皎洁明月，品尝美味月饼。

Customs play a significant role in festivals, but sometimes they can change over time.

习俗在节日中占据举足轻重的地位，但有时会随着时代变迁而改变。

With the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas, some traditions may fade away and others may be established.

随着现代社会发展、新思想传播，一部分传统逐渐消逝，新的习俗也随之形成。

One example is the typical Chinese Spring Festival custom of lighting firecrackers to drive away the evil spirits and celebrate the new year.

举个例子：中国春节有燃放鞭炮驱邪迎新的经典习俗。

Nowadays, many big cities have given up this custom in order to avoid air pollution.

如今，许多大城市为了避免空气污染，已经不再保留这项习俗。

Another example is Halloween, which slowly became an exciting festival for children, in spite of its religious origins.

再比如万圣节，它原本带有宗教渊源，如今却慢慢变成了孩子们喜爱的热闹节日。

Festivals are becoming more and more commercial, with businesses taking advantage of the celebrations.

如今节日的商业化程度越来越高，商家们纷纷借节日契机牟利。

Online shopping websites and social media apps have made it much easier for the public to spend more on gifts for their loved ones.

网购平台与社交软件，让人们更轻易地花钱为亲友购置礼物。

Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.

一部分人认为节日不该商业化，但也有人认为节日消费增长能拉动经济、提升大众幸福感。

Festivals are an important part of society.

节日是社会文化的重要组成部分。

They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life.

节日映照出人们的心愿、信仰与生活态度。

They are occasions that allow us to relax and enjoy life, and forget about our work for a little while.

节日为我们提供契机，得以放松身心、享受生活，暂时抛开工作的烦恼。

They help us understand where we came from, who we are, and what to appreciate.

节日帮助我们认清自身的根源、认清自我，懂得心怀感恩、珍惜当下。

And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.

倘若你细细研究各类节日，会惊喜地发现，不同文化之间其实存在许多共通之处。

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