Asian Games: Dazzling opening ceremony kicks off 17th Asiad

Incheon: Pop sensation Psy was the star attraction as a dazzling opening ceremony, showcasing the glorious past and modern-day South Korea in a grand spectacle, launched the 17th Asian Games here today.The world's second-biggest multi-sports spectacle after the Olympic Games, that will see over 13000 competitors from 45 countries and regions vying for glory, was kickstarted with singing, dancing, besides the expected fanfare and fireworks.The Games were declared open by South Korean President Park Geun-Hye with the words “I declare open the 17th Asian Games,” before celebrated actress Lee Young-ae lit up the flame resembling a fountain of cascading water.As Lee lighted the cauldron, dazzling fireworks lit up the evening sky.The competing teams marched into the stadium in the final act of the evening. The Indian athletes trooped in after Iran with hockey skipper Sardar Singh leading out the smartly-dressed contingent.The Indians were attired in black blazers with the women athletes dressed in blue sarees. The smiling athletes walked in waving the tri-colour. India have sent a nearly 700-strong contingent for the event and will take part in 28 disciplines.The overriding theme of the opening was the unity of Asia and consequently the cultural show comprised four parts: Asia a long time ago; Asia connected through sea routes; Asia becoming family and friends; and One Asia, the future we meet today.As is the custom the ceremony was divided into the informal and formal parts.The event began with a welcoming performance, lasting close to 80 minutes, to greet the spectators at the 60,000-capacity stadium that was filled to the brim.It included a cultural heritage performance of Pungmul Play, a performance of a cheering squad, a congratulatory video of celebrities, and K-Pop boy group EXO's performance to get the spectators revving up for the main event.The session was divided into three parts—“Incheon, the magnet of dreams,” “Incheon, where all of us become friends,” and “Tomorrow, dreamed by all of us.”A display of Korea's traditional drums and cymbal-type instruments before emcees Kim Sung-ju and Youn Soo-young came on stage.Then, a cheering team formed by young children performed to a remix of songs from past sports events held in Korea, including the theme song of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.“For You,” one of the popular cheerleading songs used in Korea, wrapped up the song and dance part to get the spectators in the mood for the grand show that followed.When the lights dimmed a girl symbolising the dreams and hope of humanity enters into the stadium by rolling a hoop which is a traditional play of Korea and here symbolising the world in unity and human beings living in harmony.Kim Min, the hoop girl, is a rhythmic gymnast, attending Incheon Cheongil Elementary School and is aiming to win the gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.The second part of the opening ceremony consisted of two themed songs - “New Asia, a Song of Hope” and “Incheon”.“New Asia, a song of hope” began with poet Ko Un reading “Song for the Asiad”, composed by Kim Young-dong, which was followed by Soprano Sumi Jo brilliantly singing the solo song which was followed by a 10-vocalist choir joining her with a large screen showing Incheon citizens reading the latter part of the poem.The song changed into Arirang, a very popular Korean folksong often sung as an unofficial national anthem.Then “Incheon, a place for one Asia” expressed the Games hosting city as a bridge to unite Asia as one family and open the future of the continent.Two figures related to Incheon appeared on stage: Biryu, a legendary founding father of an ancient kingdom whose territory covered the Incheon area, and Sim Cheong, a girl in an ancient novel, who dived into the sea as a sacrifice for fishermen who promised to give her blind father a huge amount of rice instead.On the final stage of “Incheon, a place for one Asia,” a ship returned to Incheon with Korean opera singer, Ahn Sook-sun, singing “One Asia.”The ship carried the hoop girl, actor Kim Soo-hyun and people from 45 nations. They were welcomed by actor Jang Dong-gun and people of Incheon. Executive director Im Kwon-taek and artistic director Jang Jin orchestrated all performances.Executive director Im Kwon-taek and artistic director Jang Jin orchestrated all the performances.