The opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup will try to convey the message of "communication" and "unity" to the world, local media reported on Thursday.
Thousands of performers in flowing robes will beat drums in the ceremony with the theme of "From the East", said The Korean Times.
The ceremony, which will cost 10 billion won ($7.83 million), will be divided into four stages.
1st Stage - Welcome
The ceremony begins with an orchestra made of traditional Korean instruments and a celebratory performance. Following the national anthems of the host nations South Korea and Japan, the welcome and opening speeches are to be made, after which President Kim Dae-jung will announce the opening of the tournament. A dance performance welcoming guests and a ritual to prayer for a successful hosting will then follow.
2nd Stage - Communication
Children set sail toy boats and the rolling of drums to express the hope for communication. Specially-designed drums convey the beauty of a world in which channels of dialogue are free-flowing. The barriers to communication are then broken down and a giant drum signals the start of a new era in talking and listening in the global village. The new era will be ushered in by technological advances such as IMT-2000 and high-tech digital technology. The performance encourage participation by the audience and provides spectacular sights. The combination of drums and digital technology symbolizes the past and present, and a better future of peace and harmony.
3rd Stage - Unity
From around the stadium, cloths of unity are transferred by the hands of the audience to the grounds. Once on the playing field, the cloths from a sea of unity, on which symbols of peace are drawn upon. In the middle of this sea of unity, a peace bell is raised. Each time the bell tolls, its vibrations ring louder. Images by world-renowned video artist Paik Nam-june are shown on the LCD panels on the side of the bell.
4th Stage - Sharing
Children of the world come together to sing for world peace. They are then joined by all the performers of the opening ceremony.
Children of different nationalities express their hope for a future world of communication. Pop artist Anastasia will then perform the official song of the World Cup and under the bright lights of fireworks, the curtains come down on the closing ceremony.
Editor: May Xinhua
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