Does anyone have comments about the Olympic Opening ceremonies?

[ChrisFL]

Sorry, I guess I don't understand what you are trying to say (my fault). I don't see how any of that is culture. How would you use that to make an Opening Ceremony, full of American culture?

That's my point, we have historical culture in the people we moved into reservations, then we're just a mix of many other cultures, and our identity to the world is our modern lifestyle, hence what I mentioned above.

Edit: This may be a better topic for a new thread

 

[mickeymo]

Another American chiming in to voice my awe and support of the beauty of the opening ceremony. It was warm, intimate and personal which is what the choreographer intended. It reflected the quiet spirit and fierce pride of the Canadian people I met when I was privileged to be an ex-pat living in Alberta. Canada's culture is rich and diverse throughout the provinces and that was reflected in each of the segments.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I love the people and the country of Canada but the show was boring.

 

[FireDancer]

Not liking the opening ceremony has nothing to do with liking or not liking Canada. I've been there many times and will be again. I love the country but the ceremony was cheesy to me.

 

[LilyWDW]

I enjoyed it and watched from beginning to end...

It was amazing to see the First Nations welcoming all the athletes to their home. The dancing was amazing and I was in awe with the music and costumes.

I also greatly enjoyed the high energy of the fiddlers and dancers. It made me want to get up and dance with them (though I didn't because that would not have been a pretty sight ). They really needed something like that to pick up the energy and get the excitement up.

I enjoyed the prairie, though I do think it dragged on a bit too long. After the high energy of the part before it, it was too long and too slow. Beautiful, but I think it could have been shorter.

Then the poem... I am not Canadian and have never been to Canada but the poem really stirred me. I loved the energy and emotion that it had. And the mountains and snowboarders that preceded it were also a lot of fun.

Overall, I think it was a success. The visual effects were amazing, simply stunning (the constellations, totems, breaking of the ice, and the whales were wonderful). Some of the performances were eh, but others were beautiful (personally, I enjoyed the rendition of O' Canada). This opening ceremony was more real and less... flamboyant. I think it was the right direction to go in. There is no reason a country should have to spend billions just to be better then the last country. If people are unable to appreciate the ceremony because it cost less money and was less "flashy"... too bad. The beauty and culture was there... and I thank the people of Canada for such an interesting opening ceremony.

 

[maiapapaya]

I think "boring" or not is just a matter of personal preference/taste. In my (admittedly biased Canadian) opinion the opening ceremony was quite beautifully done. Having the First Nations take such a prominant role was completely appropriate. The special effects, for example the northern lights and the autumn leaves swirling around the fiddlers and cloggers where so well done. And who could not find the orcas swimming across the stadium floor breath-taking?

Where I think the ceremony fell terribly short was the lighting of the torch. The organizers had promised a "wow" moment similar to when Mohamed Ali lit the torch in Atlanta and I just didn't get that. Even without the technical difficulties it wouldn't have done it for me. While I think they did a great job choosing some very representative Canadian sports icons, to me the lighting of the cauldron is supposed to be the climax of the ceremony and it just fell flat. I'm sure a big part of this feeling was because for days before there were rumours that somehow a hologram of Terry Fox was going to be integrated into the torch lighting. That would have been fantastic. While not an Olympian, Terry is such a Canadian hero and the epitome of the spirit of amateur athletics. He was a BC native and some spoke of how this would have symbolically completed his marathon of hope. That would have been a wow moment. Driving Gretzky around the streets of Vancouver in the back of a pick-up truck just seemed really lame.

 

[LukenDC]

I enjoyed the Opening and have a deep appreciation and affection for our Canadian neighbors. I was not keen on the idea of an Opening Ceremony indoors, but given the climate it was a wise choice.

I've been especially impressed with the Canadian spectators and fans. They have warmly welcomed all nations and have encouraged all of the athletes. I've been appalled by the booing at some recent international sporting events (Athens Olympics and PanAm Games in Rio) and hope that some people are taking note of the Canadians' hospitality and decorum.

 

[OK!]

I always thought that Canada was if anything overly rich in cultural history. Funny how people see things so differently.

Me too! There are so many groups and so much culture...where and how do you start to cull out the parts to use for then Opening Ceremony? I think the producers did a fantastic job.

 

[Duckyiam71]

I enjoyed the opening ceremonies. Sure some parts dragged but other opening ceremonies have too. My husband was clueless to the First Nations history of Canada. I, of course am educated by EPCOT, knew some of the history and said "Dont you remember the totem poles and the movie."
BTW, I am looking at Disney Cruise going out of Vancouver...beautiful country! I just wanted to add that I think it is a shame....when I was school we learned more about European History and Russian history that we did of our closest neighbor, Canada. I grew up in Richmond, VA and they may something to do with it.

 

[tinkerbell_xo]

For anyone that is unsure of Canada's culture, just watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjiwBwBL4Qo

Sums it up pretty good

GO CANADA GO!