【推荐3】Music Festivals From Around the World

Music possesses a unique power to unit e people across cultures. One great way to feel this connection is by attending some of the world’s most incredible music festivals.

The Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, is a renowned six-day celebration of music and art on Obuda Island on the Danube River. Started in 1993, the festival is known for its diverse lineup, featuring top artists from genres like electronic, hip-hop, techno, and pop rock. Beyond music, the festival offers cultural experiences like art exhibitions, theater, circus performances, and film screenings.

Glastonbury Music Festival is a global music fest held annually at the Worthy Farm in Somerset, England. Since its inception（开始）in 1970, it has become a touchstone for music enthusiasts worldwide, drawing more than 200,000 visitors during its remarkable five-day run. Additionally, Glastonbury is among the few festivals striving towards being completely carbon-neutral.

The beloved Rock in Rio festival was founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1985．The brand has since expanded to other locations, including Lisbon, Madrid, and Las Vegas. Rock in Rio spans multiple days. While its roots are in rock music, Rock in Rio has evolved to include more genres to appeal to a much broader audience. One of Rock in Rio’s standout features is its commitment to environmental initiatives.

Fuji Rock is Japan’s biggest music festival, typically held in Naeba Ski Resort in Niiga ta Prefecture. Known for its stunning mountainous backdrop, this event has been running since 1997 and is celebrated for its diverse lineup that spans rock, electronic, hip-hop, and most other genres. It attracts international and local acts, creating a unique fusion of musical styles.

【推荐2】We never knew what Walter was, but we called him an idiot (白痴). We called him that without knowing if he really was as foolish and as stupid as an idiot.

______________. She was interested in people no one else loved. When Grandmother learned about Walter, she told my mother she wanted Walter to bring the food to the house. Mother, of course, was strongly against it. She did not trust Walter. But Grandmother simply said, “Oh poor, you are 42 years old, Sarah.” And then she telephoned the people at the food store and told them to let Walter bring the food.

The first time, Walter came to the house, he told Grandmother he was going to get a girl. Grandmother told him how nice it would be. She said the trouble with young man today is that they do not know how to win a girl’s heart. “You must be honest”, she said. Walter just stood there and listened. Grandmother then told him how her husband won her heart.

Walter and Grandmother became close friends. Every time he came with food, she had a talk ready for him.

Later, she began to read books to Walter. The first book was called “How to dress when you go out with a girl?” The next book told how a young man should act when he meets the girl’s parents.

As time passed, Walter listened harder than before. He never took his eyes off Grandmother as she read. When she smiled, he smiled too. When she was serious, Walter became serious. She read about the problems of early friendship. “How to become better friends and how to decide your girl is the right one to marry.”

Grandmother was almost finished reading one day, when Walter stopped her.

“Mrs. Gorman, I have a girl, a girl like you always talking.”

“Isn’t that wonderful, tell me about her, is she nice?”

“I like her very much.”

“Well, she must be. What’s her name?”

“I forgot. I told her my name was Walter.”

“Would you be kind to her as a gentleman?”

“All the time, I told her the nice thing.”

“I am proud of you, Walter, is she pretty?”

Walter did not answer.

“She must be nice,” Grandmother said. “I hope you comb your hair and wear a coat when you see her. And you must promise me that you will always be a gentleman.”

After that, Grandmother read “How to Choose the Right Wedding Ring and How to be prepared for Marriage?” She seemed to be in a hurry as if Walter might get married before she had finished his education. The next book she read to Walter was “How to love your wife?” Soon after Grandmother finished reading it, she died.

The morning after she died, Mom telephoned the food store and told them not to send Walter any more.

Then one day, I saw him. He looked different. He was wearing a suit, the coat was old, and the trousers had been worn many times. He wore a white shirt and a tie. I waited until he walked up to me, and I walked along with him. “Hello, Walter, do you remember me?” He turned quickly toward me, then smiled as he recognized my face.

We walked a few steps in silence. Suddenly, I had the old feeling that Grandmother was still alive and Walter was still coming to the house. Without thinking, I asked “How is your girl, Walter?” Suddenly, he pulled me close to him and shouted “She is still alive! She is still alive!” His cry was loud and real. He pushed me away from him and I fell to the ground. He ran down the street. As I got off, I could still hear him crying until his voice was lost among the sounds of playing boys.

【推荐3】Academically, I was an average B+ student, shy and awkward. In my personal life, there was no one to encourage me to pursue my talent, nor acknowledgement that I even had a talent. Luckily, Miss Judge, my English teacher, introduced me to literature that initially inspired me to write. It was she that saw the potential in me that I didn't even know existed.

Miss Judge was a kind and lovely person. She first recommended me some classic works, like To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men and Greek Mythology. Then came The Horror, the one sparking my love of fantasy and magic and everything supernatural, which will always remain on my bookshelf.

Once in class, we were assigned to write a scene inspired by Hamlet, the play we were reading. Excited about the chance to write, I worked extra hard on it. After I handed it in, Miss Judge was really impressed and asked if she could read it to the whole class. I refused. Even today, I still regret that decision. At the time, I felt like everyone would think I was deliberately trying to impress them by rubbing my great story in their face.

In my senior year, Miss Judge asked us to write journal entries, which she would read. I was still nervous about others reading my writing. To break from that fear, I decided to just be funny. My journal was filled with my humorous observations, kind of like what you see on the blog today. And she loved them, saying I had a natural talent as a writer. Nothing was more fulfilling. So, I kept writing. She wrote me many encouraging notes, pushing me to pursue a career as a writer. I still have those notes, hoping that next time she hears my name, it's because I'd have won the Pulitzer Prize.

【推荐1】The Artistic Marvel: Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, a troubled but immensely talented Dutch painter, left a profound mark on the world of art with his iconic work “Starry Night.” Painted in 1889, during a period of emotional turmoil and personal struggle, this masterpiece reflects both the artist’s inner turmoil and his deep connection to nature.

“Starry Night” is an oil painting that measures 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm and is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The painting features a small village with steeples and houses nestled beneath a sweeping, swirling night sky filled with stars. The sky itself seems to come alive, as the stars twinkle and the crescent moon shines brightly. Van Gogh’s use of bold, swirling brushstrokes creates a sense of movement and turbulence in the sky, as if it is in constant motion.

The village below is bathed in a peaceful, calming light, in stark contrast to the dynamic sky above. The cypress tree in the foreground reaches up towards the heavens, almost as if it is trying to touch the stars. This painting is a testament to van Gogh’s ability to convey emotion through color and form. It is said that he painted “Starry Night” from his room in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he sought treatment for his mental health issues.

What makes “Starry Night” truly remarkable is the emotional depth it carries. Van Gogh’s use of vibrant blues and yellows, combined with the swirling patterns of the sky, evoke a sense of both wonder and melancholy. It is as if the painting captures the artist’s inner turmoil and his profound connection to the universe.

【推荐2】New England holds some special museums. They are devoted largely or entirely to the work of just one person. And they are the artists’ birthplaces or onetime homes. Here are four examples of such museums.

Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum

The name Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) might not be familiar, but several of the artist’s sculptures (雕塑) are, especially those related to Native Americans. A good example is his “Appeal to the Great Spirit” standing in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. Born in Utah, he lived in Arlington for the final four decades of his life. The museum is in the Jefferson Cutter House, an 1830 Greek styled building.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Rockwell (1894-1978) was America’s well-known artist. The museum, founded in 1969, moved into its present location, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building in 1993. Its 998 paintings and drawings are the largest single collection of Rockwell's artworks.

Kids 16 and under: free; adults: $20; the old: at a 10% discount (折扣)

Edward Gorey House

Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was an artist, but he was also an author and clothes designer. Gorey bought this 18th-century house in 1979 and lived there for the rest of his life. Edward Gorey House is also known as the Elephant House. Gorey had respect for animals. The activities of the house, from art education to exhibits, show Gorey's support of animal well-being.

Gibert Stuart Birthplace and Museum

Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is responsible for what may well be the most familiar work of any American artist, His drawing of George is the basis of the first president’s portrait (画像) on the dollar. Stuart painted more than a thousand portraits throughout his life.