1. Pre-ceremony Performance
1.1 The pre-show is performed both south and north of the National Stadium and on the tracks.
1.2 Several national celebrities demonstrate and train the audience in an energetic and lively manner on the interactive elements in the ceremony.
1.3 Animation video assists the training
1.4 2008-member Fou Band enters from four gates, standing in a rectangular formation on the east and west sides of the field with a 22-meter wide passageway in the middle. The Fou is an ancient Chinese percussion instrument either made of bronze or ceramic.
1.5 The 224-member Chorus dressed in 56 traditional Chinese ethnic costumes start to enter on both sides of the Chinese national flagpole. A child enters and stands in front of the flagpole.
1.6 The 201-member Military Band enters and stands at the north of the Stadium.
2. The Arrival of the Chinese President and the President of the IOC
The President of the People’s Republic of China and the IOC President enter the Presidential Box.
At the north of the Stadium, the Military Band plays welcome music.
3. Countdown
In the last 10 seconds, the percussion rhythm of the “Fou Formation” is as intense as the roar of thunder. Chinese and Arabic numerals flash on the surfaces of the Fou successively, in tune with the rhythm … 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
3.1 A dazzling light activates an ancient sundial.
3.2 The sundial reflects light onto the “Fou.”
3.3 Fou are ancient Chinese percussion instruments made of clay or bronze. In as early as the Xia and Shang dynasties, Fou were used in song and dance performances.
3.4 The rhythmic beating of the instruments coincides with the lights to convey the concept of “time.”
4. Welcome fireworks
Splendid fireworks burst from the Stadium’s exterior trusses, making the entire Stadium like a blossoming flower.
5. Welcome
The sound of the Fou is thunderous and the chant is roaring. Two-thousand-and-eight performers beat the Fou and sing to welcome friends from all over the world. The exciting percussion performance starts to create a rolling, thunderous welcome.
5.1 The 2,008 Fou and their 2,008 musicians symbolize the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
5.2 “Friends have come from afar, how happy we are.” This is a well-known saying of Confucius. Two-thousand-and-eight performers beat the Fou and sing to welcome friends from all over the world.
Confucius (551 BC-479 BC) was a famous educator and philosopher in ancient China. His thoughts deeply influenced later generations.
6. Footprints of History
Twenty-nine colossal burning footprints symbolize 29 Olympiads.
6.1 Twenty-nine colossal footprints rise to the sky in a series of fireworks. At a rate of one “footprint” per second, 29 of them march along Beijing’s central axis from Tian’anmen Square all the way to the Olympic Green and the National Stadium, symbolizing the path of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and their arrival.
6.2 The footprints consist of fireworks, representing the invention of gunpowder, one of the four great inventions in ancient China.
7. Olympic Rings
The footprints change into clusters of falling stars, which gather to form the Olympic rings.
7.1 The “footprints” pass through Tian’anmen Square and head north, with the last “footprint” exploding over the National Stadium, showering the Olympic venue with clusters of falling stars, which gather to form the five Olympic rings.
7.2 Twenty graceful fairies float towards the ground and cluster around the Olympic rings, manifesting beauty and romance. Their costumes glow with light.
8. Entry of the Chinese National Flag
Eight flag bearers carry the flag into the Stadium horizontally and solemnly display the Chinese national flag. A child sings A Hymn to My Country.
Fifty-six children representing each of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups cluster around the Chinese national flag.
9. Raising the National Flag and Singing the National Anthem
The flag guards raise the national flag of the People’s Republic of China. A 224-member chorus sings the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China.
The national anthem chorus consists of performers from 56 Chinese ethnic groups.
Chinese President Hu Jintao takes his seat
Fireworks of the opening ceremony
Art performance
US President George W. Bush waves
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium
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