Universiade Opening Ceremony Gets Final Touches

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 19, 2003

Universiade Opening Ceremony Gets Final Touches

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

"Dream for Unity", the slogan for the Daegu World University Games, will be expressed visually through impressive choreographed and technology-backed images and sounds during the opening ceremony at Daegu World Cup Stadium, the ceremony's chief director Yoo Kyung-hwan said.

"Daegu is recognized for its historical, cultural and educational traditions. These concepts will be staged at the opening ceremony to give the world a better understanding of Daegu," Yoo said.

Yoo, 62, who has been working as a director of performances for30 years, has gained fame for his fabulous ideas and concepts. He has taken a role in the opening and closing ceremonies in seven international sporting events that have been staged in South Korea,including the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Olympic.

The know-how he has accumulated and the technical elements he has been working on since last year will all go into the production of an opening ceremony that will be remembered in Universiade history, he said.

"I will use various high-tech equipment, such as drums designedto emit light and broad computer screens set up at the stadium. I want to hold a performance that all spectators can take part in," Yoo said.

Yoo plans to express the history of Daegu, a city recognized for its initiative in the textile and fashion industry, as well asits global orientation.

About 4,300 people will be taking part in the various cultural performances during the opening ceremony. Under the leadership of Yoo, they have practiced for several months at playgrounds around Daegu, despite the hot weather, according to the director.

Most of them are high school students, but they gave up summer vacations to prepare for the ceremony, he added.

In spite of the lack of experience of many of those preparing for the ceremony, Yoo said, "the enthusiasm and the effort have been very impressive."

Yoo said that about 1,000 young soldiers, some from marines andpolice special strike forces, will hold performances with the students to add a dynamic feel.

When asked about who will be the final torch bearer and how thetorch will be lit on the platform of the Universiade, Yoo didn't give a hint.

"You will see when they appear at the stadium," he said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

DPRK Boycotts Daegu Universiade

Macao Delegation Leaves for Daegu Universiade

China Eye Over 10 Gold Medals at Daegu Universiade

US Conducts Land-based Missile Test ( 2 Messages)

Chinese Personages Appeal to Japan to Face up to History ( 2 Messages)

Disgraced Official Highlights Chinks in System ( 3 Messages)

Beijing's Economy Forecast to Grow 9-10 Percent in 2003 ( 2 Messages)

China Puts New Anti-AIDS Drug in Clinical Use ( 2 Messages)