台北聽障奧運會開幕大典

The Opening Ceremony of the 21st Summer Deaflympics will be held in Taipei, Taiwan on September 5, 2009 to kick off the Games. Conceived and directed by Stan Lai, considered Asia’s top theatre director, the event is highly anticipated to be a grand spectacle that will highlight the Deaflympics motto “Equality Through Sport” as well as the special beauty of Taiwan.

Director Lai, well known throughout the Chinese world for his brilliant innovation in theatrical and cinematic spectacle, has assembled a team of the finest designers and choreographers in Taiwan, including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s chief scenic designer Austin Wang and top Cinematographer Li Pin-bin, to fashion a special visual experience. International Consultants include John Rayment of the Sydney Olympics, renowned costume designer Sandra Woodall, and Projection specialist Peter Milne, whose credits include the spectacular Doha Asian Games Opening Ceremony. The team has been working since early 2008 to produce this distinctive spectacle.

Though the production has been heretofore blanketed in secrecy, the Organizing Committee has reveled that the event will feature Taiwan’s top model Patina Lin, wearing nothing but body paint, suspended high in the air in a symbolic moment. Taiwan’s most internationally known singer A-mei will sing the theme song, while Hong Kong star Aaron Kwok will contribute his talents at the Closing Ceremony.

The brand new Taipei Stadium, site of the Ceremony and main venue for the Games, will be host to this majestic extravaganza. Over 6,000 performers, of which 5% will come from the deaf community, and 1,500 backstage crew and technicians will take part in the event, not to mention over 1,000 volunteers. Over 5,000 deaf athletes from 81 countries will participate in the Athlete’s Parade that will be part of the ceremony.

Tickets went on sale June 23, 2009 for this much anticipated event, with prices ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$200 student tickets (equivalent of US$180.00-$6.00) and are expected to sell out fast.