
LISTENING - The Island of Skopelos
Interviewer Welcome to Tourism Today - the programme that looks at aspects of tourism throughout the world. Today, we’re talking about a tourist destination in Europe. With its fantastic summer weather and beautiful islands, Greece is extremely popular with holiday makers. An expert on the Greek islands, Alanna Papadakis, is here to talk about some changes - both positive and negative - that are happening there. … Hello, Alanna.
Alanna: Hello, Mike.
I: Greece is a major tourist destination. And many of the islands - like Crete, Mykonos and Santorini - are familiar to us from the tourist guides … most of us know these names.
A: Yes, that’s right. Many Greek islands are well-prepared for the hordes of tourists (толпы туристов) who come every summer. These islands expect to see thousands of visitors every year. Other islands remain quiet and undiscovered (тихими и непознанными) by tourists though … and many of them will stay that way.
I: One island, however, may soon change dramatically. Tell us about that …
A: Well … Skopelos is an island in the Aegean Sea to the east of Athens. It’s very small - there are only 4,696 residents there … and yes, they might need to prepare for a huge increase in tourists.
I: Four thousand six hundred and ninety-six residents - that is small! So, what’s going on there?
A: There are reports that some tourists want to get married there. Others want to have parties in their own private bay (частный залив). Others just want to dance on the beach. It’s called the Mamma Mia! effect - and it seems everyone wants to go to Skopelos now. It all started when the film Mamma Mia! was released. You know … the film version of the musical … the hit Abba musical, starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan.
I: It’s proving to be hugely popular (Он проявляет себя как невероятно популярный) isn’t it?
A: Yes, not only the film … but also the island! Until they started filming Mamma Mia!, Skopelos was famous for plums, pears and pine forests (сливы, груши и сосновые леса). It was a surprise to everyone that the island itself became one of the biggest stars of the film!
I: Why did they choose this particular island?
A: Well, producers looked at about twenty-five Greek islands before they decided on Skopelos. In the end, they chose this one (выбрали именно его) because it has many different places which fitted with the story (точно подходило под сценарий).
I: Can you tell us exactly where some of those places are?
A: Yes … some of the film takes place around Kastani Bay and the beaches there. Other parts were filmed at the top of the cliffs (на вершинах скал), above Glisteri Beach. That’s where the main character - played by Meryl Streep - has a house.
I: And what about the famous wedding scene at the end of the film?
A: Yes, the wedding scene is filmed on the mountain on the peninsula (на полуострове) near Glisteri. It’s beautiful … unforgettable really.
I: So, this beautiful location provided the backdrop for an extremely successful film (обеспечил фильму невероятный успех). But will the film bring success for the island of Skopelos? Or will the changes have a negative effect?
A: Well, things will change there. Sometimes films like this have a huge effect on the location. Skopelos won’t stay the same - it won’t be the same unknown place that it used to be. There’s a positive side and a negative side, I suppose. … On the negative side, things may be less peaceful. The local people may not keep the peaceful atmosphere of the island completely. But on the positive side, they are pleased to get more business, at least during the summer months.
I: Yes, the film might be very good for business …
A: Mmm … and I’m sure the Mamma Mia! effect will increase tourism on other islands.
I: Yes, it might increase tourism for the whole of Greece, but … at the moment, nobody really knows if these changes will be positive or not … in the long run (в долгосрочной перспективе), I mean …
SONG MAMMA MIA
I been cheated by you since you know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you?
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go
I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you we're through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you?
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
Bye bye, leave me now or never
Mamma mia, it's a game we play
Bye bye doesn't mean forever
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you?
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go