2018 Asian Games opening ceremony

2018 Asian Games
opening ceremony
Date 18 August 2018 (2018-08-18)
Time 19:00 – 21:25 WIB (UTC+7)
Location Jakarta, Indonesia
Coordinates 6°13′7″S 106°48′9″E / 6.21861°S 106.80250°E / -6.21861; 106.80250
Filmed by IGBS
NET.

The opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games took place on Saturday, 18 August 2018, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event commenced at 19:00 Indonesia Western Time (UTC+7) and ended at 21:25 local time. Wishnutama (CEO of Indonesian TV network NET.) was the creative director of the ceremony.[1] The ceremony featured a stage designed as a 26-meter-high mountain with a waterfall. It weighed 600 tons, was 120 meters long and 30 meters wide, and included a display of Indonesian plants and flowers, as well as a mock volcano.[2][3] The volcano symbolized Indonesia’s location in the “Ring of Fire” surrounding the Pacific Ocean.[4]

Proceedings

Stadium during the ceremony

Before the ceremony commenced, a footage of the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, leaving Bogor Palace for Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in a motorcade, was shown. When the motorcade was blocked by a parade of Indonesian supporters, the President exited his car, put on a black helmet and rode a Yamaha FZ1 motorcycle to escape traffic jam. After performing some stunt maneuvers and helping a group of students and a teacher to cross the road, he was joined by a motorcycle escort and approached the stadium. As the first part of the footage ended, a motorcyclist dressed as the President entered the stadium and headed to the basement. The second part of footage then showed President Widodo riding the motorcycle before reaching an elevator, at which point the real President entered the VVIP seating area.

The entrance drew comparisons to the London 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony's Happy and Glorious segment, which featured Daniel Craig (as James Bond) and Queen Elizabeth II making an impressive entrance,[5] and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony's Warming up! Tokyo 2020 segment, in which the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe made an appearance.[4] It was suggested that the motorcyclist who entered the stadium was a stunt double: unlike the President, the motorcyclist did not wear a ring on the left hand.[6] After the games' closing ceremony, Thai stuntman Withithep Komolhiran (a.k.a. Suddum So) revealed himself on Instagram to be the President's stunt double in the filmed segments.[7] Initially revealing his identity after the opening ceremony, the Instagram post was later deleted.[5]

Performance of Jaipongan dance during the ceremony

The ceremony began with countdown video featuring spots in Jakarta and Palembang. After that, 1,600 high school dancers from 18 senior high schools across Jakarta performed the Ratoh Jaroe dance, a traditional dance similar to Saman dance from Aceh, the westernmost province of Indonesia.[8][9]

During the Parade of Nations, North Korean and South Korean teams marched together under one unified flag of Korea.[10][11] As per tradition, Indonesia as the host nation entered last.

The ceremony observed a moment of silence to remember the victims of the recent Lombok earthquake[12] right after the Indonesian flag was raised by the Paskibraka youth group troop. The troop comprised 70 students with 17 people as guides, eight people as flag bearers and 45 people as guards, which represents Indonesia’s Independence Day, 17 August 1945.

Susi Susanti, Indonesia's first ever Olympic gold medalist, lit the flame on the crater.

After speeches from the Organizing Committee chairman Erick Thohir and president Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah of the Olympic Council of Asia, President Widodo officially opened the games.[13] Indonesian basketball player Arki Dikania Wisnu and badminton umpire Wahyana read the athlete's and referee's oath.[14]

Eight former athletes, who all had participated in the Summer Olympic Games, carried the OCA flag which was raised by the aforementioned troop. The former athletes were three badminton Olympic gold medalists, all in men's doubles; Christian Hadinata (1972 – albeit listed as 1978 Asian Games gold medalist since the 1972 event was not an official Olympic event – Candra Wijaya (2000), and Markis Kido (2008), two of the three athletes who won silver in 1988 women's team archery event – Indonesia's first ever Olympic medal; Lilies Handayani and Kusuma Wardhani, bronze medalist in 2000 Olympics women's 48 kg weightlifting Sri Indriyani, and two Asian Games medalists who did not win any medals in the Olympics; Lely Sampurno (silver medalist on 50 metre pistol in the 1962 shooting event, participated on 25 metre pistol event in the 1984) and Suharyadi (gold medalist on mixed doubles in the 1990 tennis event, participated on men's singles in 1984 and men's doubles in 1988 and 1992).[14]

Soon afterwards was the creative segments, divided into five parts: Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Energy of Asia.[15][16] The water, earth, wind and fire depict the natural beauty of Indonesia and also the country's courage and competitive spirit, while Energy of Asia, the final segment named after the games motto, was about how future generations will help build Indonesia into a leader of tomorrow while remembering their guiding principles of respect and equality.

The new cauldron of the GBK carried the Asian Games flame

During the Fire segment, the torch was relayed for the final time. Indonesia's first Olympic gold medalist Susi Susanti lit the volcano's crater.[17][18] It was followed by fireworks bursts which ended on the actual cauldron, located on the southeast of the stadium.[19] The lit-up was followed by fireworks burst and a "Set Your Soul on Fire" song which was sang by some unknown singers.

The transition from the four elements segment to the "Energy of Asia" segment was filled by Indonesian-born French singer Anggun singing "Pemuda", a 1979 song written by Candra Darusman of Chaseiro band, who is the younger brother of politician Marzuki Darusman. He was also present during the ceremony.[20] After some dances, the ceremony was concluded with the performance of the games' first-released official song "Bright as the Sun" by 4 of its recording singers and fireworks bursts.

Performing singers

Here is the list of singers who performed during the ceremony.[21] All of them are Indonesians.

Parade of Nations

All 44 contingents participated in the parade, the order begins with Afghanistan and ended with host Indonesia. Each contingent was led by a representative official that wore a bird-shaped Garuda costume while carrying each country’s name placard. The costume was designed by Dynand Fariz, founder of the annual Jember Fashion Carnaval.[27][28]

Notable guests

Indonesian Olympic Committee chairman Erick Thohir and Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia
Indonesian President Joko Widodo shakes hand with Joann Al Thani, the Qatar Olympic Committee president.

Indonesians

Foreign dignitaries

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Di Balik Pembukaan Asian Games 2018: Eko Supriyanto & Denny Malik – Tirto.ID". tirto.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  2. ↑ NDTVSports.com. "Asian Games 2018 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Grand Opening Ceremony Draws To A Close – NDTV Sports". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "In pictures: Jakarta bursts into colour as the 2018 Asian Games are declared open".
  4. 1 2 Asian Games Open in Jakarta
  5. 1 2 "Jokowi's dramatic entrance to Asian Games ceremony becomes talk of town". The Jakarta Post. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  6. ↑ 하남직 (19 August 2018). 주 경기장에 등장한 오토바이 운전자는 '대통령의 대역' (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  7. ↑ "@saddum: It is a great honor to have done this. I have to apologize before that can not answer the question on the job. Thanks for the opportunity and thank to team works. #saddum #jakarta #asiangames2018". instagram.com. 3 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Jokowi opens Asian Games in dazzling ceremony". Official website. 18 August 2018. Event occurs at 22:03 IWT.
  9. ↑ "Asiad Opening Ceremony: Neeraj Leads India; N & S Korea Join Hands".
  10. ↑ "North Korea, South Korea march together at Asian Games 2018 opening ceremony". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "Asian Games kicks off in Indonesia; two Koreas march together in opening ceremony". The Korea Times. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  12. ↑ Jaya, Eris E. (18 August 2018). "Pembukaan Asian Games 2018, Prosesi Hening Cipta untuk Lombok" [2018 Asian Games opening, a moment of silence for Lombok]. Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Kompas Gramedia Group. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  13. ↑ Saputra, Ramadani (18 August 2018). "Jokowi opens Asian Games in dazzling ceremony". The Jakarta Post. PT Bina Media Tenggara. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  14. 1 2 Raya, Mercy (18 August 2018). "Delapan Olimpian Jadi Pembawa Bendera OCA di Pembukaan Asian Games" [Eight Olympians became OCA flag carriers on the Asian Games opening ceremony]. Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  15. ↑ Opening Ceremony of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang
  16. ↑ Asian Games kicks off in Indonesia; two Koreas march together in opening ceremony
  17. ↑ Raya, Mercy (18 August 2018). "Susi Susanti Sulut Api Kaldron Asian Games 2018" [Susi Susanti lit the 2018 Asian Games cauldron]. Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  18. ↑ Chia, Nicole (18 August 2018). "Asian Games: Indonesia welcomes continent for 18th Asiad with spectacular opening ceremony". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  19. ↑ Patriari, Pandu L. (18 August 2018). "Bilah Nusantara, Kaldron Baru GBK" [Bilah Nusantara, GBK's new cauldron]. Kompas.id (in Indonesian). Kompas Gramedia Group. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  20. ↑ "@officialcandradarusman: 18/8/18 pukul 18.00. Semoga sukses Asian Games! Luar biasaaa". instagram.com (in Indonesian). 18 August 2018.
  21. ↑ Bahar, Komario (18 August 2018). "Syahdunya Lantunan Sederet Musisi di Opening Ceremony Asian Games 2018" [Musicians on the 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony]. Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  22. 1 2 Asih, Ratnaning (18 August 2018). "Joey Alexander Bawakan "Melati Suci" di Opening Ceremony Asian Games 2018, Warganet Terharu" [Joey Alexander performed "Melati Suci" at the 2018 Asian Games Opening Ceremony, netizen were touched]. Liputan 6 (in Indonesian). Surya Citra Media. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  23. ↑ Setiawan, Tri Susanto (18 August 2018). "Suara Khas Anggun C Sasmi Bikin "Pemuda" Makin Istimewa di Asian Games 2018" [Anggun C Sasmi's distinctive voice makes "Pemuda" even more special at the 2018 Asian Games]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Kompas Gramedia Group. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  24. ↑ Setuningsih, Novianti (18 August 2018). "Lagu "Bright As The Sun" Tutup Opening Ceremony Asian Games 2018" ["Bright as the Sun" closed the 2018 Asian Games Opening Ceremony]. Jawa Pos (in Indonesian). Jawa Pos Group. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hermawan, Bayu (18 August 2018). "Medley Lagu-Lagu Daerah Meriahkan Pembukaan Asian Games" [Medley of Indonesian regional traditional songs enliven the Asian Games opening ceremony]. Republika (in Indonesian). Mahaka Media. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  26. ↑ Aditia, Andika (18 August 2018). "Tulus Gemakan "Indonesia Raya" di Pembukaan Asian Games 2018" [Tulus echoed "Indonesia Raya" at the 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Kompas Gramedia Group. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  27. ↑ 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony presents spectacular performances
  28. ↑ Historic moment as Unified Korea marches together in Asiad opening
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