关紫予：澳门大学选手，第17届21世纪杯全国英语演讲比赛获得者

自我介绍：My name is Eileen Guan. I am studying English major in the University of Macau. Generally, I embrace new experience and challenges, I enjoy painting and literature, I will never resist new friends and will never turn my back to my old buddies. My life motto is: Live your life as beautiful as you can, because you will be dead for a long time.

演讲稿：

Here is a poem by a famous Chinese ancient poet, Libai.

So bright a gleam on the foot of my bed---

Could there have been a frost already

Lifting my head to look, I found that it was moonlight.

Sinking back again, I thought suddenly of home.

Can you recognize this poem? It is a translation of Li Bai’s poem In the Quiet Night. In ancient time, without advanced transportation or the Internet, when people felt nostalgic, they often released their emotions by writing poetry and creating art.

But what do we do today? With all those advanced technology, not to say writing poetry or creating art, we don’t even write letters. We skype and we text. Life gets easier in this way, but unfortunately we are losing our creativity. On Mid-autumn day, when we see the moon, we can say nothing but: Oh, big moon!

This is sad but true. Think about it: since when did you stop reading paper books, and turn to browsing the webpage every day? Since when did you stop holding a pen to write, and turn to typing on your computer? Since when did you stop drawing and admiring paintings, and turn to taking hundreds and hundreds of digital pictures that you hardly even look at afterward?

Why is this the case? The truth is that technology is slowly eating away our spiritual life. When talking about humanism, we shouldn’t only talk about clone technology or nuclear power; we should also protect other human values. Please don’t get me wrong, ladies and gentlemen! I have nothing against discussing technology. I just want to emphasize to you today the importance of human beings’ creativity and ability to appreciate art.

Creating and appreciating art isn’t all about Da Vinci or Shakespeare, nor is it all about Qi Baishi or Lu Xun. It’s about every single one of us. It’s about humanity. But you may ask, what can we do? Actually it’s quite simple.

We should consciously make time to depart ourselves from technology and embrace creativity and art.

Every week, spare an afternoon, push away your computer, and open the books that you like, jot down those beautiful sentences that touch your soul.

For our creativity and ability to appreciate art?

Instead of sending an e-card for your friend’s birthday, why not design one by yourself? I am sure your friend will be thrilled and touched by your love.

Instead of reading e-books on the Internet, why not go to the library, to actually touch and smell the books? I am sure you will enjoy your readings even more just by being immersed in the tranquil environment.

Instead of downloading music into your MP4, why not go to a live concert with a friend, to actually feel the tiniest movement of the string? I am sure the music will have a stronger impact on you.

Last month, when I was stressed out by all my mid-terms and preparation work for this competition, I missed my parents more than ever. Looking at the moon in a late night, I pulled out my creativity and soothed my nostalgia by writing this poem:

They’ve been asleep already

Oh my moon, through the window

Please sneak into their room carefully

With your soft and bright gleam

Hug them and kiss them for me

Thank you!