Horizon：Festivals of the unknown
【明報專訊】Do you believe in unidentified flying objects (UFOs)? Are you fascinated by the idea of extraterrestrial (外星的) life? The following examples highlight how various cultures celebrate their beliefs in aliens and UFOs through festivals and events, reflecting a shared curiosity about the unknown.
Japan- UFO festival
A small town in Fukushima, Japan, is known as the ''UFO Village'' due to a UFO sighting in the area. The town greets its visitors with UFO-shaped street lamps and bus stops. The Iino UFO Museum, established in 1992, showcases a wide range of documents and exhibits relating to UFOs and other mysteries .
In 2022, the first annual UFO Festival was held to mark the museum's 30th anniversary, featuring parades, costume contests and themed dishes.
US - Roswell UFO Festival
In the United States, the UFO culture is rich with annual events and conventions celebrating extraterrestrial life. The Roswell UFO Festival commemorates the 1947 incident where a UFO allegedly crashed. People celebrate with parades, alien-themed activities and lectures in the festival. The International UFO Congress attracts researchers and enthusiasts from around the world to discuss and share findings.
US - Exeter UFO Festival
The Exeter UFO Festival in the United States, launched in 2010, is a two-day weekend event inspired by the ''Incident at Exeter'', a famous UFO sighting in the area in 1965. The festival blends education and entertainment, creating a fun way for families and enthusiasts to explore UFO lore while supporting a meaningful cause.
■Gear up
The Exeter UFO Festival is older than the UFO festival in Fukushima. (True/False)
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
sighting (n) 目擊
allegedly (adv) 據稱地
enthusiast (n) 愛好者
cause (n) 目標
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[Smarties' Power English 第431期]
