（每日一读）2014年1月高考英语考前突破 阅读理解能力 文化教育 世界各地奇风异俗庆新年.docVIP

世界各地奇风异俗庆新年 From great balls of fire, to possums, grape-eating and animal whispering, we reveal the worlds weirdest New Year customs. 从火球到接吻，从扔家具到吃葡萄，从西伯利亚到时代广场，让我们看看世界各地都有怎样的奇风异俗庆祝新年。 Great balls of fire, Scotland ? In Stonehaven, Scotland, there is a custom of parading through the streets on New Years Eve while swinging blazing balls of fire around. ? The tradition is part of Scotlands Hogmanay celebrations, although its roots trace back to the Vikings. ? Graveyard camp, Chile ? Locals inTalca, central Chile, like to see in the new year in the company of their dead relatives. Thought to have begun when a family broke in one year to be near their dead father, the town mayor now opens the graveyard after late-night mass and thousands sit surrounded by candles while classical music plays. ? Animal whispering, Romania ? Farmers try to hear their animals talk in a ritual which, if successful, signifies not just a Doctor Dolittle gift for communicating with our furry（毛皮的） relatives but good luck for the coming year. ? Mass kissing, Venice ? St Marks Square is known for holding not only a big firework display over the Basin of St. Mark but for something far more unusual, a mass kiss-in in the piazza. ? Throwing furniture, South Africa ? Look out below! Its the idea of starting the new year afresh that leads residents of Johannesburg, those in Hillsboro in particular, to throw old furniture out of their windows. Italians follow a similar tradition and, not wanting to be lumbered（伐木，乱堆） with anything unwanted, conduct an early spring clean by way of their windows. ? Underwater tree planting, Siberia ? This is the Siberian custom of cutting a hole in the ice covering Lake Baikal and diving to the lakes bottom while carrying a New Years tree. Note: only professional divers participate. Bear dances, Romania ? People wanting to celebrate new year in Romania put on bear costumes and furs and dance at different houses to keep evil at bay. ? Possum-dropping, America ? In the town