The
opening ceremony of the Guangzhou Asian Para Games will not focus on high-tech
performances but emotion - a feature that will display disabled performers’ and
athletes’ love for life and society, Zhu Jianwei, director-in-chief of the
ceremony, said.

Asian Para Games torch relay kicks off in Guangzhou

The
ceremony, scheduled on Dec 12 at the Aoti Main Stadium in Guangzhou, capital of
Guangdong province, includes three parts - each with an emotional theme to
convey love among family, society and disabled persons, Zhu said.

“I’m
100 percent confident of showcasing a truly stunning gala for disabled persons,”
Zhu said.

But
Zhu had to wait for the conclusion of the Asian Games to prepare for rehearsals
because the Asian Para Games opening ceremony was scheduled at Aoti Main
Stadium, one of the major Asiad competition venues.

“My
confidence comes from the ceremony’s theme - a reflection of disabled persons’
dream of a beautiful life, their passion and society’s care for them,” Zhu told
China Daily.

According to Zhu, more than 200 mothers of disabled athletes - from 41
participating countries and regions - will accompany their children during the
athletes’ admission ceremony.

“They
are more like cheerleaders for disabled athletes. You know that a mother will
never stop loving their children,” Zhu said.

Disabled artists will also perform during the ceremony, which in the director’s
eyes is in keeping with the ceremony’s theme.

“The
performance will highlight disabled persons’ spirit of becoming stronger,” Zhu
said.

Moreover, two blind children will carry the Chinese national flag and hand it
over to flag bearers, then two disabled children will light the flame of the
Asian Para Games, according to Zhu.

“The
love between parents and children - especially when talking about disabled
persons - is an eternal theme that will be surely touching for all audience,”
Zhu said.

Before
the Asian Para Games, Zhu was not a household name. He had been a directing team
member of the opening ceremony of Beijing Asian Games in 1990.

“I was
too young at that time,” said Zhu, whose inspiration for the opening of the
Guangzhou Asian Para Games came partly from a story of his disabled younger
sister.

Zhu’s
sister died in 2003 of a disease that caused her bones to lose their blood
supply.

“Before her death, she kept telling me to thank people who once gave love to
her. From then on, I knew what was really important in a disabled person’s
heart,” Zhu said.

“My
sister’s story greatly refreshed my mind and gave me a lot of passion when I was
assigned to direct the opening ceremony.”

The
ceremony, which will also feature typical Cantonese songs, includes 4,600
performers, of which 300 are disabled, according to Zhu. (Source: China Daily)

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet