A Greek ceremony of Olympics

[Angelo]

A Greek ceremony of Olympics

An outstanding exhibition of objects and costumes from the opening ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games is on at Beijing's Capital Museum. It's one of the major events during the Greek Culture Year in China. Through the exhibits, visitors are able to experience some of the grandeur of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
An outstanding exhibition of objects and costumes from the
opening ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games is on at
Beijing's Capital Museum. (Photo: CCTV.com)


At one forty-five P.M. - Beijing time, August 14th, 2004, Olympic Stadium in Maroussi, Greece came alive. The grand opening ceremony for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games commenced before a capacity audience and television viewers around the world.

The costumes and props used in the opening ceremony - and photographs and videos of the preparations are on display at the Capital Museum in Beijing.

The exhibition pays homage to the Olympic ideals of fair play, peace, participation and love. The displays are also a gesture of good will from the people of Greece, as Beijing prepares for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The 2004 Athens Olympics opened with the theme "Calling to the Ancient Olympic Spirits". The program began with a drummer clad in traditional costume. As spectators watched him play, on the jumbo screen, a spotlight picked up another drummer, wearing modern attire. The two drummers cooperated in a duet, drawing the connection between the ancient past and the present. These were the drums they played.

In the second act, a young Greek lad sailed into the Stadium on a giant paper boat. He waved the Hellenic National Flag. Across the stage, a squad of marines marched to the accompaniment of the Greek National Anthem.

The next part - highlights themes from Greek history. First to appear on the water's surface is the legendary hero -"Hercules." He also is the father of the Olympics according to Greek legend. Hercules became a symbol of wisdom and strength. Behind Hercules are three sculptures: the iconic image of the Minoan civilization. It's more than 17 metres high. there is the 9 metre, semi-nude image of Chloris from the 6th century B.C. The classical statue from the 5th century B.C. stands five metres high. Each is smaller than its predecessor They represent the human quest for beauty. When the images move, the shapes of continents and oceans emerge. A squared rock rises. A man walks on its surface - expressing the freedom of thought.

The exhibits in Beijing are on a scale of one to ten to the originals.

Among other highlights are the amazing folk costumes of Greece.

The Beijing Olympics raises its curtain in about a month-and-a-half. The opening ceremony on August 8th will meet a grand challenge, to show the world the culture and passion of China.


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[yanisos]

Thank you for the article