The 15th National Games of China opened on November 9 at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, marking the first time Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao jointly host the event. The opening ceremony blended Lingnan culture with advanced technology, highlighting themes of unity and innovation.
Here are 12 highlights from the opening ceremony:
1. Synchronized flag-raising in three regions
The ceremony began with a synchronized national flag-raising held simultaneously at the main venue in Guangdong, Hong Kong's Golden Bauhinia Square, and Macao's Lotus Square. In a historic move, athletes from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao entered as a single delegation.
2. Cultural symbols in costume design
The performers wore outfits inspired by Lingnan culture. The "young lion" headdresses worn by ceremony attendants reflected the traditional lion dance, while the guides' dresses featured kapok flowers embroidered with motifs representing the three host regions—kapok for Guangdong, bauhinia for Hong Kong, and lotus for Macao.
3. Regional music for delegation entrances
Instead of a standard march, each delegation entered to distinct regional music. The unified Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao delegation entered to "Me and My Motherland," sparking a chorus of audience sing-alongs and emotional resonance.
4. Eco-friendly cold fireworks
A stunning display of "cold fireworks" utilized low-temperature, environmentally friendly materials to create a golden cascade effect. After safety tests, the fireworks were ignited at a height of 28 meters, ensuring visual grandeur without compromising safety.
5. Water-themed stage with a "shared circle"
A circular water stage dominated the venue, symbolizing the interconnectedness of the Pearl River, Victoria Harbour, and the Lingding Ocean. The design embodied the idea of unity amid diversity, with water representing both cultural ties and regional vitality.
6. Ancient music meets modern robotics
A 2,000-year-old bronze instrument, digitally restored to replicate its original sound, was played by intelligent robots. This segment merged traditional Lingnan music, showcasing innovation in cultural preservation.
7. Joint performances by regional Artists
A symphony orchestra with musicians from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao performed alongside ballet and Cantonese opera troupes. Classics like "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" and "The Chinese" ignited full-venue sing-alongs, while the theme song "Hearts as One" conveyed themes of unity through water metaphors.
8. Mythical fish creature soars overhead
A massive floating prop of the mythical fish, a symbol of luck and scholarly achievement in Lingnan folklore, drifted above the stadium. Its sleek, balloon-based design combined tradition with modern artistry.
9. Lingnan culture in visual storytelling
Lion dances, Yingge drums, martial arts, and traditional architecture, such as oyster-shell walls and banana leaves, featured prominently. Flowers bloomed throughout, in costumes, props, and digital projections, with kapok symbolizing regional solidarity.
10. Advanced lighting and sound tech
Cutting-edge lighting systems, including a laser matrix, created immersive visuals. A 360-degree sound system ensured every seat had optimal audio, while AR/VR tech added virtual elements like Chinese white dolphins and kapok blossoms for online viewers.
11. Immersive audiovisual experience
The creative team pioneered a 360-degree "evenly cover" sound system for the 15th National Games, ensuring every audience member experienced a prime acoustic spot regardless of their seating location. They also deployed a large-scale line array speaker system to create an immersive, professional-grade soundscape.
12. innovative cauldron lighting
The cauldron featured three pillars supporting a ring, representing unity. Torchbearers from the three regions ascended water-flowing steps to ignite it together, emphasizing a shared future.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Daily, Guangzhou Organizing Committee for the 15th National Games
Editor | Ouyang Yan, Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
