Beijing continues preparations for the Winter Olympics. A full dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the games with the participation of almost 4,000 people was held in the Chinese capital. An exciting one-and-a-half-hour show awaits the audience. It was directed by the famous Zhang Yimou, whose talent has already won the hearts of many at the 2008 Olympics. The main idea of the performance is China's commitment to the concept of a shared future for mankind and the demonstration to the world of the "simple, safe and splendid" Olympics. The opening day of the main sporting event coincides with ‘Lichun’, the Beginning of the Spring holiday - this theme will also be played up in the Ceremony.
“We did not involve professional troupes or other actors for the ceremony. There has never been such a line-up at the previous Olympics. I think that each participant will remember the preparation for this opening ceremony for the rest of their lives,” said Wang Jun, Head, Opening and Closing Ceremonies department, Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee.
The opening ceremony itself is scheduled for February 4, but two days before the event, another equally spectacular show, the Olympic torch relay, awaits the audience. 1,200 torchbearers will take part in it. The organizers will also use self-driving cars and even amphibious robots to deliver the Olympic flame underwater in the Beijing Winter Olympic Park near the Yongding River.
Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova
Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova
