2018 Asian Games opening ceremony

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 Kusubandio (then 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] Host event broadcasting company International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS) filmed the televised coverage of the ceremony live internationally.[5][6]

2018 Asian Games
opening ceremony
The fireworks set off after the artistic segment
Date18 August 2018 (2018-08-18)
Time19:00 – 21:25 WIB (UTC+7)
LocationJakarta, Indonesia
Coordinates6°13′7″S 106°48′9″E
Filmed byNET.
IGBS
FootageOpening Ceremony of 18th Asian Games Jakarta – Palembang 2018 on YouTube
Asian Games logo
Part of a series on
2018 Asian Games

Proceedings
Stadium during the ceremony

Prelude

Before the ceremony commenced, 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 to escape the 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.

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.[7] 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.[8] He initially revealed his identity on Instagram after the opening ceremony, but the original post was later deleted.[9] It is unclear whether the motorist performed live in the stadium was the same stuntman or not.

Countdown

A ten-to-zero city central business district metropolitan countdown video was then shown featuring spots in Jakarta; the last two was the Jakarta's National Monument and the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Main event
Performance of Sisingaan dance during the ceremony

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. As their performance progresses, they changed the colors of their costumes and forming different patterns which evolved into the flag of Indonesia in the end. The dance was choreographed by renowned singer and dancer Denny Malik.[10][11]

During the Parade of Nations, North Korean and South Korean teams marched together under one unified flag of Korea.[12][13] As per tradition, Indonesia as the host nation entered last. The "Ocean Corridor Music" was used throughout the 40-minute long segment.[14]

The only dangdut song of the album, "Meraih Bintang", was chosen as the theme song for the 2018 Asian Games. It was written by Pay and sung by popular dangdut singer Via Vallen. She performed the song after all the athletes participated in the parade took their seat.

The ceremony observed a moment of silence to remember the victims of the recent Lombok earthquake[15] 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. 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.[16]

"In the name of all the people of Indonesia, we are proud, we are honored, by getting special guests from 45 countries. In the 18th Asian Games, we, the nations of Asia, want to show that we are brothers and sisters, we are united, we want to achieve. And, with saying Bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm, the 18th Asian Games in 2018, I declare [it] open!" – Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, declaring the games open in Indonesian.

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

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 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).[17] After the raising, Indonesian basketball player Arki Dikania Wisnu and badminton umpire Wahyana read the athlete's and referee's oath.[17]

Soon afterwards was the creative segments, divided into five parts: Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Energy of Asia.[18][19] 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, there were Balinese-clad dancers carrying drums and some carried two-end torches. They formed a formation to make way for the final torch relay. The games torch was relayed by Indonesia's former Asian Games gold medalists; Lanny Gumulya (women's 3 metres springboard diving in 1962), Arief Taufan Syamsuddin (men's kumite 60 kg karate in 1998), Yustedjo Tarik (men's singles tennis in 1982), Supriyati Sutono (women's 5000 metres athletics in 1998), and Oka Sulaksana (men's mistral heavy sailing in 2002). Indonesia's first Olympic gold medalist Susi Susanti – who won the coveted title in the 1992 badminton women's singles – became the final bearer and lit the volcano's crater.[20][21] It was followed by aerial and ground fireworks bursts which ended on the actual cauldron located on the southeast of the stadium;[22] the flame itself lit up before the ground fireworks reach the end of the cauldron. The lit-up was followed by aerial fireworks bursts and a "Set Your Soul on Fire" song which sung by some singers, including Indonesian gospel singer Sidney Mohede.[23]

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.[24] After some modern dances, the ceremony was concluded with the performance of the games' first-released official song "Bright as the Sun" sung by 4 of the song's artists; Ariel, Rian Ekky Pradipta, Sheryl Sheinafia, and Cakra Khan, complete with massive fireworks bursting from the stadium's roof.

List of performers

Here is a list of artists and musicians who performed during the ceremony.[25] All of them are Indonesians.

Parade of nations
Main article: 2018 Asian Games 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.[31][32]

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

Reception

Joko Widodo's 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 with a helicopter,[9] 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 by "coming through" Warp Pipe from the Mario Bros. video game.[4]

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". 18 August 2018.
  4. "Asian Games Open in Jakarta". Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  5. "18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang". HBS. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  6. "IGBS Asian Games 2018". IGBS. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  7. 하남직 (19 August 2018). 주 경기장에 등장한 오토바이 운전자는 '대통령의 대역' (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  8. "@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. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  9. "Jokowi's dramatic entrance to Asian Games ceremony becomes talk of town". The Jakarta Post. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  10. "Jokowi opens Asian Games in dazzling ceremony". asiangames2018.id. Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee. 18 August 2018. Event occurs at 22:03 WIB. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  11. "Asiad Opening Ceremony: Neeraj Leads India; N & S Korea Join Hands". 18 August 2018.
  12. "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.
  13. "Asian Games kicks off in Indonesia; two Koreas march together in opening ceremony". The Korea Times. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  14. "Ocean Corridor Music | Live from The Opening Ceremony of The 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang 2018". youtube.com.
  15. 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.
  16. Saputra, Ramadani (18 August 2018). "Jokowi opens Asian Games in dazzling ceremony". The Jakarta Post. PT Bina Media Tenggara. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  17. 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.
  18. Opening Ceremony of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang
  19. Asian Games kicks off in Indonesia; two Koreas march together in opening ceremony
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. Sidney Mohede - 'Set Your Soul On Fire' Chatting with Ronald Steven (Song Story) on YouTube
  24. "@officialcandradarusman: 18/8/18 pukul 18.00. Semoga sukses Asian Games! Luar biasaaa". instagram.com (in Indonesian). 18 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. "2018 Asian Games opening ceremony presents spectacular performances". Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  32. Historic moment as Unified Korea marches together in Asiad opening
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