2011 Asian Winter Games opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Winter Games was held at the Astana Arena, in Astana, Kazakhstan. It began at 6:00 PM (UTC+06:00) on 30 January 2011 and lasted approximately three hours.[1][2]
An estimated 30,000 were in attendance at the venue. There were an estimated 700 performers.[3]
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Guests
- Faisal bin Al Hussein - Prince of Jordan
- Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi[4]
- Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah - Current IOC member representing Kuwait and president of the Olympic Council of Asia [5]
- Nursultan Nazarbayev - President of Kazakhstan [5]
- Jacques Rogge - President of the International Olympic Committee [5]
- Roza Otunbayeva - President of Kyrgyzstan[6]
- René Fasel - President of the International Ice Hockey Federation [7]
- Imangali Tasmagambetov - Current mayor of Astana
- Alexander Zhukov - Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and President of the Russian Olympic Committee [4]
Program
Opening section
A dramatised performance based on traditional Kazakh epic poems accompanied by a group of ethnic drummers, which was followed by a volley of red fireworks began the show.[8]
National anthem
Members of the Kazakhstan army marched the Kazakh flag to the flagpost. The anthem was then sung by Azamat Zheltyrguzov while the flag was risen.[8]
Parade of Nations
According to the Olympic Council of Asia's protocols, countries will march in order of their IOC Code.[1] Below is list of countries that are confirmed to compete and their national flagbearers during the ceremony. All the countries were given warm receptions by the crowd, however a deafening welcoming roar was given to the home team.[1]
*During the Opening Ceremony Lebanon was announced to the crowd and a Placard bearer came out, but was followed by no members of the delegation. ** Indonesia had no athletes competing, rather officials participating.
Cultural Program
Kazakh opera diva Nurzhamal Usenbaeva then performed a song specially composed for the Games opening an impressive show that involved more than 700 actors and dancers including Belgian singer Lara Fabian singing her new song "Always".[1][11]
Also included in the cultural show was the history of Kazakhstan, with a bird’s eye view from an eagle swooping over the vast plains. With dance, song and distinctive musical instruments, the props came to life – notably when water cascaded from the top of the set and lighting transformed the stage into a rough sea to rock the boat looking for new lands.[12]
Also, "The gift packs for the visitors inside the 30,000-seat indoor football stadium included a bag of four snowball-size white sponge balls. Taking their lead from a band of tiny-tot performers dressed as flowers towards the end of the cultural show, the audience opened their packet of “snowballs” and proceeded to pelt anyone and everyone in sight"[12]
Entry of the Olympic Council of Asia Flag
6 famous athletes and coaches carried the flag. They were:[13]
- Hwan Mai - Coach
- Serik Konakbayev - Former Olympic silver medalist in boxing for the USSR at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Kenzhe Sarsekenova - Coach
- Lyudmila Prokasheva - Former Olympic bronze medalist speed skater for Kazakhstan at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
- Vladimir Smirnov - Former multiple Olympic medalist cross-country skier for Kazakhstan and the USSR.
- Aliya Yussupova - Multiple gold medalist rhythmic gymnast at the 2006 Asian Games.
Oaths
The athletes and jury pronounced solemn oaths before the banner of the Olympic Council of Asia.[13]
Opening remarks/Official Opening
The mayor of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov gave a speech. "The Asiad is being held by Kazakhstan due to the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The victory of an athlete is the victory of the country".[13]
This was followed by president of the Olympic council of Asia Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah also giving a welcoming speech. "Kazakhstan is a very respectful member of the international sport community. The Olympic Council of Asia congratulates President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Government of Kazakhstan, mayors and people of Astana and Almaty".[13]
The games were then officially opened by the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.[13]
Lighting of the Cauldron
The Olympic torch relay, which had criss-crossed the country during January, arrived at its final destination at the Astana Arena, with a group of the country's most decorated sports veterans jointly lighting the Games flame.[8]
This followed by Korean oprea singer Sumi Jo singing "Angels Pass Away".[14]
Finally, another barrage of fireworks that lit up the night sky of the Kazakhstan capital to close the show.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d 7-th Asian Winter Games | Astana - Almaty 2011 Archived January 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ .view the location of this item Asian Winter Games officially open Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Nurzhamal Usenbayeva Performed a Song with Original Music Composed by Igor Krutoy[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b bin Zayed attends opening ceremony of the 7th Asian Winter Games 2011
- ^ a b c Olympic Council of Asia : News
- ^ CA-NEWS : President of Kyrgyzstan to attend opening of 7th Asian Winter Games in Astana
- ^ 7-th Asian Winter Games | Astana - Almaty 2011[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Asian Winter Games officially open
- ^ "Malaysian ice hockey team targets a medal at Winter Games". Archived from the original on 2011-01-23. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Spectacular opening for Asian Winter Games
- ^ Lara Fabian Greek Music Treasure Box: Asian Winter Games Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b ‘Snowball fight’ marks Opening Ceremony
- ^ a b c d e Olympic Council of Asia Flag hoisted on the AG Opening Ceremony[permanent dead link]
- ^ Opening Ceremony was finished with Lighting the Cauldron of the 7th Winter Asian Games[permanent dead link]