Peace, brotherhood and dreams for future

Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the

art performance of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games,

titled "Beautiful Olympics", in the National Stadium, also known as the

Bird's Nest, in north Beijing, China. (Chinese media Photo)
Photo

Gallery

Art performance of Beijing Olympics opening ceremony

BEIJING, Aug. 10 -- Peace. The message was loud and

clear. The flying apsaras, the moving types, the Chinese paper scroll, the

Olympic rings and the colorful fireworks all danced to the tune of peace.

China ushered in the 29th Summer Olympic Games with

an extravagant opening ceremony at the National Stadium that portrayed its long

history in the most symbolic of fashions.

The fun party, which every Chinese had been waiting

for, began with sparkling fireworks across Beijing. The crackle and sparkle

along the city's north-south meridian joined the rhythmic beats of the ancient

Chinese drums, fou, inside the Bird's Nest to create perfect harmony.

This harmony was reflected in the rising Olympic

rings during the gala: a symbol of all countries rising hand-in-hand to achieve

peace and prosperity.

The city was decked like a bride but its streets were

deserted, for people were either glued to TV sets at home or the giant screens

in public places. Only a lucky few, 91,000 to be precise, experienced it live at

the stadium.

Restaurants were shut (temporarily, though), while

shopping malls and cinemas were devoid of the usual weekend night crowds. Even

cab drivers were in a hurry to reach home before 8 pm, when the gala began.

After all, yesterday was the day the entire nation had been looking forward to

for seven years.

The many storms that arose during these years were

weathered with calm and dignity. The accusations and allegations, the misplaced

focus of the world media, the one-upmanship of foreign leaders and the linking

of sport to politics all were answered when the moving types at the opening

ceremony cried aloud peace.

Brotherhood and peace were behind the theme song,

too. Liu Huan and Sarah Brightman infused life into the lyrics: for dreams we

travel thousands of miles, we meet in Beijing, come together, the joy we share,

you and me

The stars had taken leave, it seems, because too many

of the terrestrial variety had gathered at one place at the same time. Or,

perhaps they did not want to compete with the sparkle of the fireworks. And for

once, no one could complain about noise pollution.

The Bird's Nest was graced by many world leaders,

and the parade brought together a record 204 countries and regions into the

rhythm of harmony.

US President George W. Bush and Russian Prime

Minister Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Brazilian

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were among some of the more than 80 world

leaders who enjoyed the show.

The story unfolding inside the Bird's Nest portrayed

5,000 years of Chinese history, as modern China shone in the city's architecture

and neon lights outside. If the Great Wall and opera puppets inside retold the

country's past, the flyovers, the new airport terminal and the jazzy cinemas

outside reflected its present.

Tian'anmen Square was a sea of people, with thousands

screaming "Go China!" as they watched the colorful and modern display of

fireworks on the expanse of history.

But like all good things in life, the opening gala

too had to come to an end. It had to give way to the more serious business of

competitive sports.

The honor to signal that beginning was bestowed on Li

Ning, winner of three gymnastics golds at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Li glided through the stadium in true gymnastic style

(albeit with the help of tight rope), to light the sacred flame in the cauldron

- with a touch of creativity. He did not climb atop the stadium to do so.

Instead, he lit a huge tube through which the flame, in a flashy and scorching

run, traveled to the giant torch, setting alight the Olympic flame of peace.

President of the International Olympic Committee

Jacques Rogge said at the opening ceremony of the Olympics that China's dream of

holding the Games has come true.

"For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its

doors and inviting the world's athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

Tonight that dream comes true," he said.

(Source: China Daily/By OP Rana)