Beijing: Thundering volley of fireworks exploded over the ‘Bird's Nest’ stadium in the shape of a blossoming red flower on Friday as China put its rich history on full display in a breathtaking opening ceremony.
Nearly 91,000 people, many waving Chinese flags, packed into the National Stadium on a hot and humid night for a spectacular show masterminded by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zhang Yimou.
A total of 2,008 martial arts fighters dressed in white, opera singers and dancers wowed the cheering crowd, which included dozens of heads of state.
Fireworks forming giant footprints also exploded at 29 points -- representing the 29th Olympics – along the axis of the city, passing through historic Tiananmen Square and leading to the stadium.
Another 2,008 musicians beat ancient Chinese drums called Fous in perfect timing to welcome athletes and spectators to the Games, which China hopes will showcase its development, especially over the past three decades.
Children from 56 ethnic groups walked a giant Chinese flag across the stadium before it was raised by soldiers on a flagpole, as a girl in pigtails, singing a Hymn to My Country, silenced the crowd.
The ceremony opened at precisely 2000 hrs IST on the eighth day of the eighth month, a tribute to the number eight that many Chinese deem lucky as it represents prosperity.
For the next hour, the crowd watched as 15,000 musicians, acrobats, trapeze artists and other performers in lavish costumes staged a celebration of China's history which focused on its key inventions – the compass, gunpowder, paper and printing.
The centre of the stadium was transformed into a constantly unfurling electronic scroll, showing Chinese script and the typewriter.
"It was so Chinese and so lovely," said engineer Liu Xuejie, who bought an 800 yuan ($110) ticket for the show. "The world was watching and I hope they loved it too,” he added.
Prior to the ceremony, the largely Chinese crowd was treated to a coaching session in how to cheer by presenters in the centre of the stadium.
They were taught how to use plastic clappers to applaud the performers and also to shine flashlights.
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While the show went on, cheerleaders took positions in the aisles encouraging the spectators to cheer. Youngsters ran into the stadium holding make-shift umbrellas displaying photographs of 2,008 smiling children from different nationalities to celebrate the theme of this Olympics – ‘One World, One Dream.’
Visual treat
Zhang, China's most successful film director, spent three years creating the ceremony, which had all the flair and scale of one of his films, House of Flying Daggers or Hero.
The march into the stadium of thousands of athletes from 204 nations and territories brought roars from the crowd, especially for Taiwan, which enjoys close ties with its long-time rival.
Iraq, which was only allowed to compete at the last minute, also brought thunderous applause, along with Russia and North Korea.
But the loudest cheers were saved for China's athletes, led into the stadium jointly by famous NBA basketballer Yao Ming and nine-year-old Lin Hao, who survived China's devastating earthquake in May.
The deafening crowd chanted "Jia You" or "Go China" and waved red flags and scarfs as the athletes walked around the stadium.
Gymnastics champion Li Ning, suspended on wires, "ran" around the roof of the stadium holding the Olympic torch, a giant spotlight following him.
He lit an enormous torch on the side of the stadium – which will stay alight throughout the Games – sparking even more fireworks.
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