The Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony in China witnessed a spectacular start, with Chinese President Xi Jinping officially declaring the event open amid the presence of foreign dignitaries. However, what usually marks the pinnacle of such ceremonies, the fireworks display, took an unexpected turn. In a departure from tradition, organisers chose a virtual fireworks display, leaving both onlookers and television audiences bewildered.
The decision to forego traditional fireworks was attributed to environmental concerns raised by the host city, Hangzhou. Instead of live pyrotechnics, a computer-generated simulation of fireworks was superimposed onto the official live broadcast, creating a visually convincing but ultimately artificial spectacle.
The absence of real fireworks left spectators near the stadium bemused, and humorous videos from the event quickly became viral sensations on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
One such video captured a group of excited local residents eagerly counting down to the grand finale with their phone cameras pointed at the lotus-shaped Hangzhou Olympic stadium. The countdown reached its climax with collective anticipation, only to result in a comical letdown as virtual fireworks failed to materialize. Laughter erupted from the crowd in response to the unexpected anticlimax.
Another video, filmed from across the river, contrasted the empty night sky over the “Big Lotus” stadium with the lively virtual fireworks display broadcast on someone’s phone. The cameraperson’s laughter and bewilderment were palpable as they questioned the purpose of their wait.
Remarkably, the virtual display was so convincing that even some journalists were deceived by what they saw on TV. A regional newspaper erroneously reported that fireworks had illuminated Hangzhou at the ceremony’s conclusion. Organisers, however, had previously announced their intent to forgo fireworks in favor of a digital presentation, citing the lower carbon footprint associated with such a decision.
Sha Xiaolan, the director of the opening ceremony, clarified the choice, stating, “The opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games will break the tradition of having a fireworks performance, as we are sticking to a green philosophy in hosting the event.”*
By AFP
