World Cup Opening Ceremony to Promote Communication and Unity

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, May 31, 2002

World Cup Opening Ceremony to Promote Communication and Unity

The opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup will try to convey the message of "communication" and "unity" to the world, local media reported on Thursday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup will try to convey the message of "communication" and "unity" to the world, local media reported on Thursday.

Thousands of performers in flowing robes will beat drums in the ceremony with the theme of "From the East", said the Korean Times.

The ceremony, which will cost 10 billion won ($7.83 million), will be divided into four stages.

1st Stage - Welcome

The ceremony begins with an orchestra made of traditional Korean instruments and a celebratory performance.

Following the national anthems of the host nations South Korea and Japan, the welcome and opening speeches are to be made, after which President Kim Dae-jung will announce the opening of the tournament. A dance performance welcoming guests and a ritual praying for a successful hosting will then follow.

2nd Stage - Communication

Children set sail toy boats and the rolling of drums to express the hope for communication.

Specially-designed drums convey the beauty of a world in which channels of dialogue are free-flowing. The barriers to communication are then broken down and a giant drum signals the start of a new era in talking and listening in the global village.

The new era will be ushered in by technological advances such as IMT-2000 and high-tech digital technology. The performance encourage participation by the audience and provides spectacular sights. The combination of drums and digital technology symbolizes the past and present, and a better future of peace and harmony.

3rd Stage - Unity

From around the stadium, cloths of unity are transferred by the hands of the audience to the grounds. Once on the playing field, the cloths from a sea of unity, on which symbols of peace are drawn.

In the middle of this sea of unity, a peace bell is raised. Each time the bell tolls, its vibrations ring louder. Images by world-renowned video artist Paik Nam-june are shown on the LCD panels on the side of the bell.

4th Stage - Sharing

Children of the world come together to sing for world peace. They are then joined by all the performers of the opening ceremony.

Children of different nationalities express their hope for a future world of communication. Pop artist Anastasia will then perform the official song of the World Cup and under the bright lights of fireworks, the curtains come down on the closing ceremony.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Seoul to Release 9,000 Butterflies for World Cup

S.Korea to Restrict Traffic During World Cup Finals

16,000 South Korean Volunteers Gear Up for 2002 World Cup

>> Full Coverage

WTO Entry to Bring China an Annual Increase of 3 Million Employment ( 8 Messages)

Lee Kuan Yew: China to Overtake the US in 2050 ( 132 Messages)

US Taiwan Acts Jeopardize Sino-US Ties: Analysis ( 3 Messages)

Clinton Reaps US$250,000 in 30-Minute Speech in Shenzhen ( 53 Messages)

Miss Russia Wins Miss Universe Title, Miss China Third ( 3 Messages)