威廉大婚在即 英国民众办派对狂欢

Thousands of Britons are planning to get out the bunting, balloons and fold-up tables and hold street parties across the country to celebrate next month's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

为了庆祝威廉王子和凯特 米德尔顿下月即将举行婚礼，成千上万名英国民众计划挂出彩旗和气球，摆上折叠桌椅，在全国各地举办街头派对。

About two thousand requests have already been made to local councils for road closures to allow street events to be held on April 29th when the couple tie the knotat London's Westminster Abbey, the Local Government Association said on Saturday.

英国地方政府协会上周六表示，各级地方政府已收到大约两千份道路封闭申请，要求在威廉王子婚礼当天举办街头派对。威廉王子和准王妃将于4月29日在威斯敏斯特教堂举办婚礼。

London has received the most applications with 70, followed by Essex, the county northeast of the capital, which has had 46. Dozens of requests have also been sent to local authorities in Wales, western, northern and central England.

伦敦收到的道路封闭申请最多，为70份。位于伦敦东北部的艾塞克斯郡收到46份申请，位列第二。威尔士地区、英格兰西部、北部、中部等地方政府也已收到几十份申请。

"Street parties are an established part of British culture, they're a great way for people to meet their neighbors and strengthen community bonds," said Chris White, chairman of the LGA's Culture and Tourism Board.

英国地方政府协会文化与旅游部主席克里斯 怀特说：“街头派对是公认的英国文化的一部分，也是邻里欢聚、增进社区凝聚力的好办法。”

"It's great that we're seeing such community spirit sweeping the nation. And these applications are only for parties which require a road closure, there will be many more celebrations in gardens and homes across the country."

“这种社区精神遍及全英，真让人高兴。类似申请仅适用于需要封闭道路的派对，还有很多民众会在花园和家里庆祝。”

In order to help, some councils have waived the usual fee to close roads while others are offering party packs for organizers, with free bunting and flags.

为协助活动举办，不少地方政府决定免除封闭道路服务费，还有一些则向组织者提供彩纸和彩旗等“派对大礼包”。

"The eyes of the world will be on William and Kate on April 29 and I am sure that many Britons will use the excuse to celebrate," said Claudia Joseph, author of "Kate: The Making of a Princess."

《凯特：平民王妃》一书的作者克劳迪亚 约瑟夫说：“4月29日，威廉和凯特将吸引全世界的目光，我敢肯定，很多英国人会借机狂欢。”

"After all it is a public holiday -- and everybody loves a party."

“毕竟这一天是英国的公共假期，而且大家都爱开派对。”

One company that could be benefitting from the interest in street parties is the firm founded by Middleton's mother Carol.

米德尔顿的母亲卡罗尔创办的一家派对礼品公司还可以大赚一笔。

Party Pieces is offering a "Best of British" range with all the accessories to hold a traditional street party, with plates, cups, bunting, hats and a host of other items featuring the British "Union Jack" flag.

这家名为“派对用品”的公司正出售举办传统街头派对的必需品，名为“全英最佳”系列产品，包括盘子、杯子、彩旗、帽子、以及印有英国国旗的其它用品。