Known locally as sakura, the cherry blossoms in Japan are popular with both locals and tourists alike. For the Japanese, sakura hold much cultural and historical significance that goes deeper than their obvious beauty.
Sakura are usually only in full bloom (盛开) for about one week.
While the cherry blossom season occurs between March and May each year, the specific time varies from region to region. Luckily, the Japanese Meteorological Corporation (JMC,日本气象厅) has done all the work.
A.Many people hold flower-watching parties known as hanami. |
B.The pink flowers have inspired poets, artists and soldiers for centuries. |
C.Each year it posts forecasts of when the blooming will begin in each region. |
D.It’s pretty easy to plan your trip around the blooming sakura. |
E.Most people bring beer or other drinks to mark the occasion. |
F.Cherry blossom season is one of the high seasons in Japan. |
G.If you manage to catch the end of the blooming, you’ll see the beautiful flowers. |
Below are some fun holidays. Which do you like best?
Hug Your Cat Day
It falls on June 4. On this unofficial holiday, go and give your cat a big hug. Although its origins are unknown, it’s clear that the creators wanted people to let their cats know that they are loved. Studies have shown that giving your cat a hug can reduce stress and help you relax.
Pardon Day
It’s on September 8, a day to seek and give forgiveness and be kind to everyone and forgive those who may have hurt you. It’s thought that this unofficial holiday owes its existence to the pardon given by United States President Gerald Ford to former President Nixon.
Swap Ideas Day
It falls on September 10, which is a day to share thoughts, exchange ideas, trade opinions and discuss views with family members, friends, co-workers and strangers.
This unofficial holiday promotes the concept that knowledge grows best when shared and that best ideas come about through teamwork. The day is also known in the United States as National Swap Ideas Day.
Teddy Bear Day
This unofficial holiday is on September 9, a day to bring out all your teddy bears and thank them for the fun times you have had with them, and for all the days and nights they comforted you. Created in the early 20th century, this toy owes its name to American President Theodore Roosevelt, who was lovingly called Teddy by his family and friends, and it’s also become a part of children’s literature.
【小题1】Which holiday has something to do with American presidents?A.Pardon Day. | B.Swap Ideas Day. |
C.Teddy Bear Day. | D.Hug Your Cat Day |
A.Pride comes before a fall. | B.Great minds speak alike. |
C.Two heads are better than one. | D.It is never too late to learn. |
A.They are celebrated in September. | B.They owe their existence to animals. |
C.They contribute to children’s books. | D.They’re only recognized by the public. |
Everyone knows about New Year’s Eve and Independence Day. But did you know that there are enough holidays to fill every day of the year? Here are just a few we found interesting.
World Hello Day
To celebrate this day, say hello to at least ten different people. World Hello Day began in the autumn of 1973, shortly after the end of a war in the Middle East. Brian and Michael McCormack of Omaha, Nebraska, wondered what they could do to encourage world peace. They felt the best way was by getting people to talk with one another.
The McCormacks sent letters to the leaders of every country in the world about the first World Hello Day. They wrote the letters in as many different languages as they could. Officials wrote back from sixteen countries and encouraged Brian and Michael to make World Hello Day a yearly event. The holiday has been held on the third Sunday of November every year since. The McCormacks have received letters from many famous people congratulating them for their efforts.
International Day of the Seal (海豹)
March 22 is the official International Day of the Seal. But the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., and many other zoos and research centers around the world celebrate this holiday on the third weekend of March. The holiday was created to tell people about the dangers seals face from pollution and fishing nets.
At the National Zoological Park, you can find out how seals live and ways to help protect their habitats (栖息地).
Do it! Day
Are you a procrastinator? Here’s a day to finish all those things you’ve been meaning to do. Do It! Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday in September. “The whole idea is to feel good about getting things done,” says the founder of Do It! Day, Ethel Cook. She came up with the idea as part of her work helping businesses get organized. Cook hopes everyone will turn their Do Its into Did Its.
【小题1】World Hello Day was set to .A.create peace worldwide |
B.stop the war in the Middle East |
C.encourage foreign language learning |
D.spread knowledge about different countries |
A.By reporting it on TV. |
B.By meeting famous people. |
C.By publishing it in the newspapers. |
D.By writing letters to world leaders. |
A.On March 22. |
B.On the third weekend of March. |
C.On the third Sunday of November. |
D.On the first Wednesday in September. |
A.cleans up things quickly | B.puts off things until later |
C.always comes up with good ideas | D.feels good about getting things done |
South Africa does have a calendar filled with more festivals than most people can think of. In fact, many of these festivals have won international popularity.
Aardklop Arts Festival
Every year during the last week of September, the southern region of the northwest province prepares itself for one of the country’s greatest cultural festivals. Held in the university town of Potchefstroom with its thousands of students, it offers a five-day feast of classical music, jazz, hard rock, visual arts, poetry and more, ending with the “OppiAarde” rock festival on the final day.
Grahamstown National Arts Festival
At the end of June each year Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape is transformed into one huge happening for a period of 11 days, when the Grahamstown National Arts Festival gets underway. It’ s a national phenomenon of arts. The festival offers more than 500 shows from opera, drama and jazz to stand-up comics and folk music.
Arts Alive International Festival
The Arts Alive International Festival , held in Johannesburg every September since 1992, is an annual festival of music, dance, theatre and performance-poetry. Over 600 artists take part in the four-day festival, which consists of a musical feast, dance performances and events , poetry readings , theatrical productions, and workshops. The festival ends with the popular “Jazz on the Lake“ held on the final day.
Cape Town Jazz Festival
Since its birth in the year 2000, the Cape Town Jazz Festival has grown into a successful international event. Arguably the best jazz festival in Africa, it takes place in Cape Town every last weekend in March. It features around 40 international and local artists. Performances are held on stages in exhibition halls throughout Cape Town, including one free , open-air show.
【小题1】Which festival lasts the shortest?A.Aardklop Arts Festival. | B.Cape Town Jazz Festival. |
C.Arts Alive International Festival. | D.Grahamstown National Arts Festival, |
A.Potchefstroom. | B.Grahamstown. | C.Johannesburg. | D.Cape Town. |
A.Enjoy music. | B.Taste cuisine. |
C.Appreciate drama. | D.Experience local customs. |
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