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Top singers, performers to welcome Asian Games guests
Practice makes perfect: Noted dancer Eko Supriyanto briefs dozens of dancers during preparations for the upcoming Asian Games opening ceremony, which is slated to be held in Jakarta on Aug
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ractice makes perfect: Noted dancer Eko Supriyanto briefs dozens of dancers during preparations for the upcoming Asian Games opening ceremony, which is slated to be held in Jakarta on Aug. 18. (Courtesy of Inasgoc)
As many as 6,000 Indonesian performers, including Indonesian-born singer Anggun, Via Vallen, Edo Kondologit, Tulus and Kamasean, as well as vocalists GAC, are going to perform at the Asian Games opening ceremony, which is slated at the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex on Aug. 18.
Thousands of dancers who have been practicing for months under the guidance of Addie MS and Ronald Steven are also slated to perform.
“This will be a once in a lifetime experience for us, as a nation. And they aren’t to be missed,” Games organizing committee chief Erick Thohir said on Monday. As many as 42,000 spectators are expected to pack the stadium during the opening ceremony and billions of others will be watching through live TV.
Besides the singers, performances will also backed by noted choreographers such as Denny Malik and Eko Supriyanto, who was once a background dancer for Madonna. Indonesian broadcaster Wishnutama has been appointed creative director for the opening ceremony.
The stage is expected to depict the beauty of Indonesia, including its mountainous and green areas. Approximately 12,775 types of flowers and plants will be showcased on the stage.
The stage is being constructed by builders and artists from Bandung, West Java, and Jakarta, and it will support 4,000 dancers, ranging from 18 to 77 years old.
The performance is a compilation of traditional dances mixed with modern contemporary styles.
“Through this opening ceremony, we will be showing our nature and cultural wonders to the world. We have the best men to do it,” creative director Wishnutama.
This year’s Games will be Indonesia’s second time hosting the event. Forty-five countries have registered for the world’s second-biggest multisport tournament.
Many have said the event will show the true condition of Indonesian sports.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expects Indonesia to reach the top 10 after reaching 17th position in the last Games in Incheon, South Korea.
