The 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities officially opened on August 9 at the Maoming Olympic Sports Center. The Games brought together more than 27,000 athletes from all 21 cities across Guangdong.
As one of the province's largest multi-sport events, the Games serve not only as a tribute to outstanding athletic achievements, but also as a showcase of Guangdong's diverse cultures and the spirit of its people.
The 70-minute opening ceremony centered on a "Tree of Life" — an ancient lychee tree standing as a cultural emblem of Maoming. Through music, dance and theatrical performances, the ceremony traced the city's history and development while presenting its rich cultural heritage.
Traditional art forms such as lion dance, Cantonese opera, Wing Chun and Yingge dance took turns on stage. Cultural elements from all 21 cities were also woven into the performances, creating a vibrant panorama of Guangdong's regional cultural diversity.
For the creative team behind the ceremony, however, Maoming was more than a venue; it was the emotional heart of the show. "Maoming is a city rich in culture and full of life and emotional depth," said Qiao Wei, lyricist of the opening theme song The Mountains and Seas in My Heart（《心念山海》）. "It has a grand, almost legendary history and a vibrant tapestry of intangible cultural heritage."
The theme song focuses on longing for home, a feeling familiar to many people. Singer Chen Yingzhu said one of the song's most moving lines — "I once dreamed of crossing that mountain" uses the mountain as a metaphor for her hometown. "Now the mountain lingers in my dreams, while I am beyond the mountain," she said.
For people who leave home to pursue their dreams, distance can make their connection to their hometowns even stronger. "No matter how far away I am or how hard I work and strive, I still miss my hometown whenever I think of it," Chen said, recalling the mountains, rivers and food that shaped her childhood.
She hoped the song would encourage audiences across China and around the world to discover Maoming and, through the city, rediscover their own connection to the places they call home.
This sense of hometown attachment was also reflected in the participation of local residents. About 95 percent of the performers in the opening ceremony were ordinary local residents of Maoming. They came from different walks of life and stepped onto the stage to tell stories about their hometown.
Among all performers, the guzheng artist Li Shuyu was particularly notable. She is a national-level performer who lost an arm in a car accident in 2019.
After rehabilitation and with the help of advanced technology, Li regained the ability to perform. She appeared at the opening ceremony with a prosthesis. She continues rigorous training to improve her performance. "I hope that my actions and performance can inspire people with disabilities," Li said. "As long as we keep striving, we will be seen."
Her story added another dimension to the opening ceremony of the two Games, highlighting not only competition and sporting excellence, but also perseverance, inclusiveness and the relentless pursuit of dreams.
The Games will continue to bring athletes from across the province together in competition, while offering an opportunity for audiences to see another side of Guangdong, where sports, culture, community and a deep attachment to hometown come together.
Reporter | Li Fangwang
Video & poster | Xu Anrui
Photos | Li Fangwang
