It's New Year's Eve. Zhang Qiuming and his colleagues are all suited-up and equipped at the work site. They have been preparing for half a month.
雖然正值除夕，剛入夜，張秋明和他的同事們已經(jīng)穿好工作服來(lái)到預定場(chǎng)地，擺好了陣勢。為了這一天，他們準備了半個(gè)多月。
It's a fireworks performance in Liuyang city. Many people would appreciate the beautiful fireworks for the celebration of the Spring Festival tonight.
這是瀏陽(yáng)花炮的又一次商業(yè)演出。今夜，許多人將聚在一起，仰望天空中絢麗的煙火，共度佳節。
Liuyang is called the "city of fireworks" in China. It's also the largest base for fireworks production and exportation in the world. There are all kinds of fireworks with various forms and colors, which can be used on different occasions. They are favorites for many galas and ceremonies.
湖南瀏陽(yáng)是中國花炮之鄉，也是全球最大的花炮生產(chǎn)和出口基地。這里的花炮種類(lèi)繁多，設計、造型和色彩多種多樣，能適應各種場(chǎng)合、各種地區，深受大型晚會(huì )和節慶慶典的青睞。
Zhang grew up surrounded by the noise of firecrackers. Whenever good things happen or people feel happy, they'd always celebrate with fireworks. "In Liuyang, the Spring Festival is celebrated by setting off three bunches of firecrackers. One for the reunion dinner, one before closing the door at New Year's Eve, and one when you open the door on the first morning of the new year. The more firecrackers, the better."
張秋明從小成長(cháng)在花炮窩里。家中凡有喜事，總少不了放鞭炮和煙花?！盀g陽(yáng)人過(guò)年，三掛鞭炮是必不可少的。吃團圓飯，除夕晚上關(guān)門(mén)，早上開(kāi)柴門(mén)，都要放，越長(cháng)越好?！?br />
People even keep the red residues for more than a week, symbolizing lasting prosperity.
家家戶(hù)戶(hù)門(mén)口的鞭炮皮十幾天不掃，寓意新年紅紅火火。
As a professional fireworks operator, Zhang can do more than "light up the sky."
不過(guò)，作為專(zhuān)業(yè)焰火師，張秋明的職責不僅僅是讓整個(gè)煙花表演變得“熱鬧”。
"For us, the sky is the canvas and the fireworks are the paint," he says, adding, "Fireworks are abstract. It's the combinations of colors."
“我們焰火師，天空當紙，煙花當墨，齊天作畫(huà)?！睆埱锩髡f(shuō)，“煙火很抽象，是以用色調來(lái)表達?！?br />
"Red stands for passion; gold for dreams; white for snow; green for spring; and blue for the sea and the sky. Red and gold are always the colors for the Chinese Spring Festival." Zhang and his crew would combine different types and sizes of fireworks to achieve certain visual effects.
“紅色，熱烈；金色，夢(mèng)想；白色，飄雪；綠色，春天；藍色，海洋，天空。春節，紅色和金色，永遠是中國的主色調?！辈煌臒熁ㄆ贩N，不同的規格尺寸，通過(guò)排兵布陣，燃放出不同的層次效果和畫(huà)面。
The designs of the fireworks change every year according to the Chinese Zodiac. 2018 is the Year of the Dog, so the designers chose the shape of a dog. "Bow-wow sounds like 'prosperity' in the Chinese language."
每年春節的煙花設計，都會(huì )根據當年的生肖有所變化。2018年是狗年，焰火設計師選用了瑞犬圖案的彩燈，為表演增加氣氛?！肮方型??！?br />
Modern fireworks can be more complicated than we imagine. To guarantee the best show, operators need to program and operate on computers and remote controls. Laser and music are also indispensable for a grand show.
現代的煙花燃放，遠比人們想象中復雜。要成功將精心設計的禮花彈送上天空，需要提前編程，通過(guò)電腦和控制器進(jìn)行操作。激光、配樂(lè )也是盛大的煙火表演不可缺少的元素。
Zhang missed several festivals with his family because of the preparation for the shows. "From January 1 to the Lantern Festival, we make fireworks without a single break." He says, "Not until after the Spring Festival holidays can we join our families."
為了節慶時(shí)期的煙花表演，張秋明常常不能回家過(guò)年?！皬脑╅_(kāi)始一直到元宵，是我們最忙的時(shí)候”，他說(shuō)，“每年都是春節以后才能和家人團聚?！?br />
He has brought, however, loads of happiness to other people. Besides major cities in China, his fireworks have also illuminated the night sky of New York City, dazzling overseas Chinese in lands far away on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
但他為人們帶去了無(wú)窮的歡樂(lè )。他的煙火，不僅在全國各大城市的夜空出現過(guò)，還曾點(diǎn)亮紐約的除夕之夜。人們對故鄉的思念，對未來(lái)美好的希冀，都化作異鄉夜空中絢麗的華彩。
"Fireworks are not all for the passion. There can also be some deep emotions," says Zhang. "The key is to arouse the sympathy of the audience."
“煙火并不是完全代表激情和熱烈的東西，它同樣可以抒發(fā)深層次的感情?！睆埱锩髡f(shuō)，“關(guān)鍵是要引起觀(guān)眾的共鳴?！?br />
With another bang, the colorful sparks spiraled into the sky and won a big round of applause. With such happiness and excitement, the Spring Festival has arrived.
隨著(zhù)又一聲炮響，閃亮的禮花螺旋形綻開(kāi)，引得觀(guān)眾一陣歡呼。這份熱鬧與歡樂(lè )，拉開(kāi)了真正春節的序幕。
