VOA常速英语:Syrians in Capital Prepare for Christmas Without Mortar Fire

This has not happened in years, Christmas decorations lighting the streets around the Syrian capital Damascus.Last year we did not dare to walk in the streets to celebrate Christmas. Electricity was cut off and so we would not see the lights or decorations.Earlier this year government forces retook the capital and its outskirts eliminating the last rebel enclaves.The end of fighting means that many families no longer fear public gatherings.And musicians can bring back a Christmas March for years unseen.
这已经很多年没有发生了，叙利亚首都大马士革周围的街道上都装饰着圣诞装饰品。去年我们不敢上街庆祝圣诞节。电力都被切断了，所以我们也看不到灯和装饰品。今年早些时候，政府军夺回了首都和郊区，清除了叛军最后的飞地。战争的结束意味着许多家庭不再害怕公共集会。音乐家们可以带来多年未见的圣诞进行曲。

It is a big joy. We’re no longer worried for children coming to the church.Now we have more children coming. Families are now more assured to bring them.Thousands of civilians died in the capital during the course of the war from insurgent shelling and Russian-backed Syrian government offensives.But this year, Damascus looks different.
这是一个巨大的喜悦。我们不再担心孩子们来教堂。现在我们有更多的孩子要来。他们的家庭现在也更有信心把他们带来。在这场战争中，由于叛乱分子的炮击和俄罗斯支持的叙利亚政府的攻势，首都大马士革有数千人丧生。但今年，大马士革看起来有所不同。

Christmas preparations are really excellent.There were mortars last year but this holiday is for everybody not just for one sect but for all sects in Syria.It is an important celebration and a message for peace. We hope that this year will be good for everyone.A year of love.The whole of Damascus is now back under full control of the Syrian government and for this Christmas that means some semblance of normal in a country for years ravaged by war.
圣诞节的准备工作真的很棒。去年有迫击炮，但这个节日是为了每个人，不仅是为一个教派，而是为了叙利亚所有教派。这是一个重要的庆祝活动，也是和平的信息。我们希望今年对每个人都好。一整年的爱意。整个大马士革现在重新回到叙利亚政府的完全控制之下，对于这个圣诞节来说，这意味着这个多年来饱受战争蹂躏的国家重获了一些表面的常态。

Arash Arabasadi, VOA News, Washington.
美国之音，阿拉萨迪华盛顿报道。