Finally the day has come and everybody – with the possible exception of those who have chosen to time such an auspicious date with wedding/child birth – is gearing up for the main event; the Opening Ceremony.
All over Shanghai people have been working half-days, leaving work early to prepare for the evening’s festivities. Bars and clubs have been promoting their venues in anticipation of a big turn out, and lost of people are hosting their own ‘Opening Ceremony Parties’. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics on the Nintendo Wii seems to be a popular themed warm up entertainment.
It’s sure to be a spectacular show (with or without Steven Spielberg!). There is keen anticipation in the air combined with a slight sense of nervousness; the run up to the Games has been slightly fraught and it seems almost inevitable that someone would target the main event tonight. It would be a great shame if it were spoiled. But an even greater shame would be for the security to count any protest were to overshadow the entire event!
People attending the Olympic qualifying football matches last night were made to wait an hour to enter the stadium because of the high level of security. It is possible that such controls will kill all spirit and atmosphere in Beijing.
What’s more, if there should be a protest, surely most people would like to know, rather than for the whole event to be shrouded in suspicion and cynicism.
Bob has not heard estimates on the anticipated viewing figures but this will surely be one of the biggest TV events going. Every Chinese New Year it is part of the modern tradition in China for families to gather round and watch the special variety show – young and old, it seems that is just what people do. So much has been made of the Olympics nationally that the broadcasting of the Opening Ceremony may well bring people together in a similar way. Who knows how much those advertising spaces are worth!?
Fingers crossed for a spectacular show, and no sour taste afterwards.
Hmm well I am a fan of peaceful protesting but I understand both sides. If you are going to the Olympics then you should check out this article with tips about easy mandarin to remember. Seems useful. I wish I was going but I could not afford it =/ http://www.petergreenberg.com/2008/08/07/when-in-beijing-speak-like-the-chinese-do/
Amazing this is by far the best opening ceremony i can remember and let’s face it the western propaganda is against the Chinese i for one love CHINA and I’m not Chinese. I love China because it is honest, sincere and wise country the western stations are spouting bile against China because they are told to do so. The intelligence services are doing the bidding of the corporations using subversive tactics to undermine and shame the government.
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble,
Double, double toil and trouble,
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
William Shakespeare from Macbeth
This is political pressure western style using spin and the media to make lies and insinuations against a peaceful and prosperous nation. China will rule for the next few hundred years as the dragon awakes it will consume the eagle with one breath. The British bulldog and the American eagle fear the Chinese dragon because they know its true power is the people so they use divide and conquer to fragment a unified nation in order to sell it in pieces to western corporations.
Looking forward to the show, and looking even more forward to the games themselves!
Nope, no sour taste… just a sweet taste of pride!
This is how I felt about the whole event:
http://www.urbankudos.com/blog/beijing-2008-opening-ceremony-look-at-us-now
Yea…China certainly hasn’t spared anything in their preparation for the upcoming Olympics. I personally have never enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremonies, other than that it symbolizes the beginning of a great few weeks of sports. I have a few friends at the Olympics right now, and really wish I was there too.
If you are interested in reading my blog, with coverage and analysis of the Olympics, go to: http://talkaboutsport.blogspot.com/
Thank you, and enjoy the show!
I’m sure everyone must agree that the opening ceremony was a monumental success. If it were a measure of the games to follow, we’re in for one heck of an Olympics.
But of course, the ceremony is in many ways the least important part. Tightly scripted and with years of preparation, there was no margin for error. Unlike the games themselves, for which no preparation can be made other than practice practice practice.
In some ways, it feels like we’re on an precipice, waiting for a scandal to hit. That, and seeing how many medals the countries of our choice win.
Just a great opening ceremony.
Marc Loriau
[...] 11 August 2008 by Bob The general concensus appears to be that it was a truely spectacular opening ceremony (and no need to any fears of upset). [...]
its good china has achieved the order of being the host of olympic..but i will appericiate if china will help this olympic being remembered a best in history by FREE TIBET.
Tibets cause is a worlds need and we all know tibet belongs to tibetan and so let them live in their country in their way..in this manner is olympic comes with its real ethics of peace and harmony..
FREE TIBET AND WORLD PEACE
We thought the Beijing opening ceremony was absolutely astoundingly good. Sitting in London we wondered how on earth england is going to keep face when our turn comes in 2012. So we were delighted to hear that the British Olympics opening is set to be just as grand as the Chinese one:
http://www.ideasbrothers.net