春节临近 中国各地的庆祝活动

With Spring Festival approaching people all over China can hardly wait for the clock to strike and ring in the new year. In fact, a lot of folks aren’t waiting and have already started their celebrations. Next up, we’ll take you to a couple of places to see how the locals there express their hopes for the new year.
随着春节的临近，全中国的人都迫不及待地等待新年钟声的敲响。事实上，许多人已经等不及，开始庆祝了。接下来，我们将带你到几个地方，看看当地人如何表达他们对新年的期望。

Located in the north of Sichuan Province, Beichuan was severely damaged in the deadly quake of May 12th, 2008. This Thursday, the newly built town rising up out of disaster and debris saw a spectacular parade to celebrate the first Spring Festival after its completion. Over tens of thousands of people swarmed into the streets to become a part of the joyful atmosphere.
坐落在四川省北部的北川在2008年5月12日的大地震中遭到严重破坏。这个星期四，这个新建的镇在灾难和碎片中崛起，进行了建成之后首次庆祝春节的壮观游行。成千上万人涌入大街，融入到欢乐的气氛中。

Qiang culture is Beichuan’s well-known calling card. And in Qiang culture, one tradition is to open Za wine in a ritual ceremony to pray for a peaceful and happy life.
羌文化是北京著名的名片。在羌文化中，一项传统是在仪式上开咂酒祈求生活和平、幸福。

A performer said, "For three years we have rebuilt our new life. This is the spirit of Beichuan. And with our Za wine, we wish you a happy new year!"
一位表演者表示：“我们重建新生活已经三年了。这是北川精神。借着我们的咂酒，我们祝你们新年快乐！”

Now, let’s move a little bit to the northwest of Sichuan Province to reach the sleepless town of Lanzhou in Gansu Province where night is turned to day by festival lanterns that especially feature this year’s mascot, the dragon. By the Yellow River, two 2012-meter-long dragons fly above the water to cast their bright shadows on the "mother river of the Chinese people."
现在，让我们稍微往四川的西北部移动一下，到达甘肃省的不眠之城兰州，在兰州，以今年的吉祥物——龙为特色的花灯将黑夜变成白天。在黄河上，两条2012米长的龙飞过水面，在“中国人的母亲河”上投下光亮的影子。

Next, we head east to Shandong Province. In Laizhou, a dragon team made up of senior ladies is busily rehearsing. All the members are above 55 years old and the oldest is 81. Team members chipped in to buy an 18-meter-long dragon and invited a coach. But for them, this is more than just a hobby.
接着，我们向东走，前往山东省。在莱州，由中老年妇女组成的一支龙队正忙着排练。所有成员都在55岁以上，最老的81岁。队员们凑钱购买一条18米长的龙，聘请一个教练。但是对她们而言，这不仅仅是一项爱好。

A performer said, "We sisters performer the dragon parade to wish everyone a happy new year. What’s more, to wish for a good harvest in the year to come!"
一位表演者称：“我们姐妹们表演舞龙是为了祝大家新年快乐。此外，也希望来年大丰收！”