The Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics were a stunning display of
artistic and technical prowess used to express the depth and breadth of Chinese
culture and embody the universal message of the Olympics: peace and harmony
among the citizens of the world.
Led by internationally renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the team of
10,000 performers involved in the ceremonies took the world’s breath away with
such elements as poetic scenes of ancient Chinese history, a striking
demonstration of Tai Chi involving 2008 perfectly coordinated practitioners and
a dance to create an enormous dove gracefully flapping its wings.
The China of today is able to work with the technical tools now available to
humanity, but continues to draw on profound cultural roots that demonstrate a
remarkable sensitivity to beauty and art. With a culture that has developed and
thrived for so many thousands of years, the Chinese understand how to touch on
and connect with the universality of the human experience.
The Opening Ceremonies serve as a superb example of how,
through individual discipline and a common vision of true humanity, people are
able to work together to create something larger than themselves.
Modern Western culture has much to learn from this “sleeping dragon” that has
again awoken. In the West, the focus is on individuality and, increasingly, the
satisfaction of short-term personal interests without thought of the impact on
others.
In Chinese culture, as in many other cultures with deep
roots, it is understood that the individual, by striving to bring the best out
of himself, can then choose to work with others on this same path of
self-improvement and create something beautiful that transcends the
individual—but is of incalculable benefit to the individual’s quality of life
and to society as a whole.
May these Opening Ceremonies serve as an inspiration to us all during these
Games and in our everyday lives, as we all strive to find a way to bring beauty,
peace and harmony into the world.
