劳特布隆嫩的施陶巴赫瀑布, 伯尔尼州, 瑞士 Staubbach Falls at Lauterbrunnen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland (© pongnathee kluaythong/Getty Images)

传奇故事前的篇章 The steps before the saga

J.R.R.托尔金纪念日

今日图片带我们走进瑞士劳特布隆嫩小镇，静谧山谷间，远处的施陶巴赫瀑布在阳光下闪烁。1911年，年轻的托尔金曾在徒步旅行中穿越这里，那时他还未成为《魔戒》和《霍比特人》的作者。巍峨的峭壁、银白的瀑流和清冽的山风，深深印刻在他的记忆中，被认为启发了他笔下的瑞文戴尔——中土世界中隐秘的精灵圣地。

1月3日，托尔金诞辰，世界各地的读者举杯庆祝“托尔金日”，晚上9点齐声向“教授”致敬。这一传统始于1972年，由托尔金协会发起，既追忆《魔戒》中弗罗多为比尔博举杯的场景，也缅怀作者在牛津的岁月。托尔金用一生塑造现代奇幻，将语言、神话与勇气交织成永恒的史诗。今天，我们纪念的不只是作家，更是梦想的缔造者——他让我们相信，即使最微小的旅程也能成就伟大，而奇迹就藏在身边，触手可及。

J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Our picture of the day takes us to the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen, where the Staubbach Falls shimmers in the distance beyond a quiet alpine valley. This is the landscape a young traveler, J.R.R. Tolkien, crossed during a hiking trip in 1911, long before he became the storyteller behind 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit.' Its soaring cliffs, silver waterfalls, and crisp mountain air left a lasting impression and are believed to have inspired his vision of Rivendell, the elven refuge hidden deep in Middle-earth.

On January 3—Tolkien's birthday—fans across the globe celebrate Tolkien Day, raising a toast at 9 PM to 'The Professor.' The tradition, started by The Tolkien Society in 1972, recalls both Frodo's toast to Bilbo and the writer's years at Oxford, where he spent a lifetime shaping modern fantasy—interweaving language, legend, and moral courage into timeless tales. Today, admirers honor not just an author but a world-maker—one who showed that even the smallest journey can lead to greatness, and that wonder awaits, ever-present, just beyond the familiar.

威尼斯鸟瞰图, 意大利 Aerial view of Venice, Italy (© Clement Leonard/Getty Images)

威尼斯的灵魂 The soul of Venice

威尼斯鸟瞰图，意大利

从高空俯瞰威尼斯，宛如一幅迷人的水上画卷，但这座意大利瑰宝真正的魅力，藏在古老墙垣与曲折水巷之间。公元5世纪，它在潟湖中的一簇岛屿上诞生，由沼泽蜕变为海上霸主。中世纪时期，威尼斯成为连接欧洲与东方的重要贸易枢纽，财富与文化在此交织。如今，哥特式宫殿、文艺复兴艺术，以及圣马可大教堂、公爵宫、里亚托桥等地标，仍在诉说这座城市的辉煌历史。

威尼斯的魅力，不仅在于桥梁与运河，更在于那些才华横溢的灵魂。《马可·波罗游记》讲述了这位探险家的奇幻旅程，维瓦尔第在这里谱写出《四季》的乐章。威尼斯更是文学与艺术的灵感源泉：托马斯·曼的《威尼斯之死》、莎士比亚的《威尼斯商人》和《奥赛罗》，以及亨利·詹姆斯的《阿斯彭文稿》，都在这座城市的光影中诞生。

如今的威尼斯，在历史魅力与现代挑战之间保持微妙的平衡：既要守护脆弱的古迹，又要应对汹涌的游客潮。贡多拉依旧在百年老墙的倒影中轻轻滑过，而狂欢节等传统节庆，则让这座城市的古老风情延续至今。

Aerial view of Venice, Italy

Seeing Venice from above is mesmerizing, but this Italian gem's true magic lies within its walls and waterways. Founded in the 5th century on a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, the early settlement rose from marshland to become a maritime powerhouse. By the Middle Ages, it had evolved into a major hub for trade between Europe and the East, fueling immense wealth and cultural growth. The city's grandeur shines through its Gothic palaces, Renaissance art, and landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Venice is celebrated not only for its iconic architecture and interwoven canals but also for the brilliant minds who shaped its legacy. 'The Travels of Marco Polo' chronicles the adventures of the Venetian merchant and explorer, and Antonio Vivaldi—composer of 'The Four Seasons'—was also born here. The city has inspired timeless works, including Thomas Mann's 'Death in Venice,' Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'Othello,' and Henry James's novella 'The Aspern Papers.'

Today, Venice balances historic charm with modern challenges—from preserving fragile architecture to managing tourism. Gondolas glide past centuries-old facades, while festivals like Carnevale keep traditions alive.