A second dress rehearsal for what will undoubtedly be the biggest and greatest show put on in China since Beijing in 2008 went off Tuesday night at Nanjing Olympic stadium with barely a hitch.
Beneath a packed stadium, the flag bearers performed bravely and flawlessly, carefully selected girls carried country placards with poise and grace while the Chinese flag was unfurled with a military precision reserved for only the highest of occasions.
As 60,000 people stood for the national and Olympic anthems, this was the moment when a new and proud Nanjing thew off the shackles of gloom that have in part shrouded the city for much of the last century. With the long wait almost over the crowd’s excitement was palpable, rising to fever pitch with the announcement to “Please welcome the state leader of the People’s Republic of China”. On this windless evening, the newly hoisted Chinese and Olympic flags fluttered continuously throughout, thanks to compressed air being ingeniously pumped up the inside of the flagpoles.
In what was just as much a run through for the TV to get it right as everyone else; this correspondent observed only a couple of minor errors on the part of the vision mixer, doubles stood in for the guests of honour that are to give speeches, while the huge screens on either end on the stadium were boldly watermarked “not for broadcast”.
Inevitable comparisons are being drawn with the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics in 2008; gargantuan tightly-knit groups performing perfectly choreographed 5-10 minute routines that capture defining elements of Chinese history and culture that include, of course, people suspended in mid air; the Nanjing show is one that has benefitted from five years of hindsight, bringing it all bang up to date with all the technical and artistic wizardry that can be mustered.
Whereas Beijing necessitated its show have a national theme, the Nanjing version proudly exhibits elements of Nanjing’s great standing in Chinese history. Bronze castings, dream catchers, Chinese porcelain dresses made from Nanjing Brocade plus a giant telescope showcase the ceremony’s youthful theme that is “Light up the future”.
Away from the big spectacle, nothing short of an army of English speaking volunteers and soldiers are on hand to make sure you get to your seat and observe the rules; bringing in your water bottle is ok but only if you peel off the label; sponsors’ beverages are all that is permitted. Security is air tight; all vehicles are stopped several streets short of the stadium, while vigilant helicopters continuously buzz overhead.
See what will be the biggest show on Earth that is the opening ceremony for the Nanjing Youth Olympics live on TV on Saturday night from 8-10pm; without doubt there is nothing better you can do this year, or any year.
