Bulgaria's oldest city honored as European culture capital

云南富源縣勝境中學 張 勇

普羅夫迪夫是保加利亞第二大城市，也是保加利亞最古老的城市。迄今為止，這個城市已擁有6,000多年的歷史了，作為一個文化多元化的城市，普羅夫迪夫將因其悠久的歷史進入歐洲“文化之都”行列。

題材文章詞數地理290 難度 ★★體裁建議用時說明文5′

Plovdiv is the oldest city in Bulgaria and it has been officially regarded as the European Capital of Culture for 2019.

About 50,000 people gathered on a main square,watching the opening show named“We are all colors”.There were 1,500 local and foreign artists on several stages.The entertainment included traditional Bulgarian folk dancers and 200 choir singers.

Plovdiv issqueezedbetween the Balkan and the RodopiMountains.As Bulgaria's second-largest city,it has survived for thousands of years.It is on the crossroads between Western Europe and the Middle East.Plovdiv is in central Bulgaria,90 miles southeast of the capital,Sofia.

With a history of 6,000 years,Plovdivclaimsto be the oldest continuallyinhabitedEuropean city.Evidenceof that can be seen in many architectural landmarks.They date back toThracianandGreektimes,Romanand Byzantine times and also Ottoman times.

The city is on both sides of the Maritsa River.Known for itsethnicdiversity,this city has 340,000 inhabitants that belong to the many different minorities,including Turkish,Armeni-ans,Greek people and Jewish people.All of them have quite a strong influence on the city's multiple cultural life.

Examples of this influence were presented during the opening music,light and dance show.It was all performed under the motto,“Together”.

Some 350 cultural events are scheduled in Plovdiv this year,including exhibitions.One exhibition featuresfragmentsof the Berlin Wall to mark 30 years since its fall.Another exhibition will have 30 short films and debates thatfocus onhow art can foster liberty.

Plovdiv is the first Bulgarian city to become a European culture capital.It was also named among The New York Times'list of 52 places to go in 2019.

Reading Check

1.What can we know about Plovdiv?

A.It has a population of 340,000.

B.It's the most ancient city in Europe.

C.Its size is second to none in Bulgaria.

D.It is located in the center of Bulgaria.

2.What can be used to prove Plovdiv's history?

A.Its exciting opening show.

B.Its architectural landmarks.

C.The diverse culture in Plovdiv.

D.Its special geographic location.

3.What does the underlined word “multiple” in paragraph 5 mean?

A.Historical. B.Various. C.Traditional. D.Meaningful.

Language Study

I.Important vocabulary

1.squeeze v.擠進

2.claim v.聲稱

3.inhabit v.居住；棲息

4.evidence n.證據；證明

5.ethnic adj.民族的

6.fragment n.碎片；不完整的部分

7.focus on集中于

Ⅱ.Complete the following sentences in correct forms with the words given or with a proper word.

1.________（know） for its ethnic diversity,this city has 340,000 inhabitants ________belong to the many different minorities,________(include)Turkish,Armenians,Greek people and Jewish people.

2.Plovdiv is the first Bulgarian city________(become)a European culture capital.