Beijing Paralympic Games opens with spectacular ceremony

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-07-2008 09:16

The Paralympic Games opened with a spectacular ceremony last night in Beijing. It marks the beginning of a quest for more than four-thousand disabled athletes from around the world.

The National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest, was the scene of Saturday's celebrations.

Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2008 shows the general view of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in  the National Stadium in Beijing, China.(Xinhua/Chen Shugen)

Hundreds of children opened the evening, followed by the athletes' parade. The procession was made up of more than 4,000 athletes from 147 countries and regions.

Host China is fielding the largest-ever delegation of over 500 members, including some 330 athletes.

The nearly one-hour art performance encompassed three themes -- traveling through space, time and life.

About 6-thousand performers, some of them disabled took part.

The programs had a fairy-tale-like quality.

Members of the Paralympic Delegation of China parade into  the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the  Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, Sept. 6,  2008. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

The audience saw the world's largest ever sign language dance "Hello, Stars!" featuring 320 hearing-impaired girls.

The director says the performances emphasize the value of life and the release of vitality.

President Hu Jintao then announced the formal opening of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

Han Hong and Andy Lau performed the theme song, "Flying with the Dream."

Seven torchbearers entered the Stadium for the last stage of the relay. The honor of lighting the cauldron went to Hou Bin, a triple Paralympic high-jump champion.

Beijing hopes the next 11 days will be a grand celebration for all people in the world.

Editor:Xiong Qu