The opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games will be powered by film technology to create an unprecedented view experience while showcasing the shared cultural heritage of the three co-hosts of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, according to the ceremony's director team.
As the first-ever National Games jointly hosted by Guangdong, and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, the opening ceremony set for Sunday evening will creatively incorporate iconic elements such as Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor, Macao's landmark the Ruins of St. Paul's, and Guangzhou's iconic Canton Tower, highlighting the vibrant vitality of the Greater Bay Area's interconnectedness.
"Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao share many themes, such as dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival traditions. Growing up, we watched martial arts legends like Wong Fei-hung and Ip Man," said Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, chief producer of the opening ceremony.
The event promises a vibrant cultural showcase where south China's traditional Lingnan cultural elements meet cutting-edge technology.
Lions dance performances will intertwine with artificial intelligence and virtual reality, while the traditional Yingge dance, a form of folk dance popular in south China, will be complemented by holographic projections. Meanwhile, the dragon boat scenes will be brought to life through augmented reality, virtually transforming the entire stadium into a giant immersive cinema.
"I believe the spectators will have movie-like experiences here with excellent sound effects, lighting, and performers. In fact, the requirements of the ceremony are similar to those of a movie, but it has a bit more cinematic feel," Lau said.
The ceremony is expected to last approximately 75 minutes and will feature a diverse array of musical elements, including Cantonese opera, popular Hong Kong music, and folk tunes. Spectators will not only witness a visual feast but also experience the cultural charm of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster through sound.
"The cultural heritage of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao is consistent. Besides great music, we are deploying top-tier sound and lighting equipment to create an outstanding scene. We've also designed a 360-degree panoramic sound system to ensure that every spectator on site can enjoy the best scenes of the entire event," said Huang Peiling, deputy director of the ceremony.
Themed "Realizing Dreams for the Future," the performance is scheduled to start at the prime viewing time of 20:00 on Sunday at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center.
Film tech to create unique experience at National Games' opening: chief producer
