The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) urged its staff to take to heart the ideals of the masses to present the high-level Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

 

The preparatory work for the schemes of the ceremonies should present a combination of the ideals of both the experts and of the majority of the masses, BOCOG president Liu Qi said on Saturday.

 

He asked BOCOG staff to invite the most outstanding talents to create the schemes for the ceremonies and participate in their presentations; form a group of the representatives of the masses and allow them to participate in the creation of the schemes in various forms at different design stages; open a special channel on the official website of the Beijing Olympic Games as a bridge between the organizers and the masses; mobilize the grass root cultural and artistic organizations to take part directly in the preparation for the ceremonies; involve nationwide art academies or troupes in recommending outstanding programs to enrich the contents of the ceremonies and the Olympic festivals.

 

He made the remarks at a BOCOG forum with the representatives of the masses from various industries and social sectors, in which many worthy opinions were offered, regarding the ceremonies' theme, contents, forms and styles.

 

After seeking the opinions of many teachers and students, Peking University student Lu Fan said the Olympics' Opening Ceremony should integrate the Chinese characteristics of both ancient and modern times and deliver a beautiful, interested and meaningful presentation.

 

Taxi driver Yu Kai obtained suggestions from over 200 passengers during a week's time. He said a foreigner expressed his hopes that the Opening Ceremony should help more people across the world to know about China, while an old Beijing guy hoped to see folk arts such as the kites and diabolos in the Opening Ceremony program.

 

"The big changes that have taken place in China should be reflected in the first ever Olympic Opening Ceremony in my hometown," said Na Heli, a Beijing citizen.

 

The Opening Ceremony should stress visual effects and introduce fashionable international elements into the traditional Chinese culture," said Peking University Prof. Zhang Yiwu.

 

Zhu Donghua, doctorial supervisor of Beijing Institute of Technology suggested that a scientific evaluation system be established to ensure the quality of the Opening Ceremony as the program is a combination of science and arts.

 

"The Opening Ceremony needs a universal language to convey the traditional Chinese sport culture and illustrate how China understands the Olympic Spirit and the diverse cultures of the world, which will result in the interaction between the main stadium and the spectators," said Beijing Sport University Prof. Sun Baoli.

 

(BOCOG April 18, 2007)