Paris 2024 and Beijing 2008: Contrasting Magical Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Paris 2024 and Beijing 2008: Contrasting Magical Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Kathy Keyi Jia-Jones

July 28, 2024

The Olympic Games opening ceremonies have always been fascinating to me. My appreciation for them began in the early ’90s when I worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), which held the broadcasting rights to the Games. I vividly recall the countdown clock ticking toward the opening ceremony, a constant reminder that something extraordinary was about to happen. Over the years, I’ve watched quite a few opening ceremonies, each offering unique insights into the culture and traditions of the host nation, blending artistry, history, and innovation into captivating performances that celebrate global unity and human achievement.

Two opening ceremonies stand out in my mind: Paris 2024 and Beijing 2008. Both were exceptional in originality, setting unprecedented standards, and boldly showcasing their best of their host countries to the world—all in contrasting styles.

On Friday, I watched the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony with delight. Hosting such a ceremony in the open air was refreshing and daring! It was really cool to watch the Parade of Nations enter by boat from under the bridges and move along the iconic Seine River—something never done before. Paris itself was the stage, with its renowned historical monuments—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Grand Palais—integrated into the show. The performances conveyed a sense of ease and almost spontaneous charm.The four-hour event, orchestrated by artistic director Thomas Jolly, was ambitious and uniquely French, featuring beautiful statues of accomplished women in French history, haute couture fashion, the French rapper Rim’K in checkered jacket by LV, lively can-can dance, and even headless figures representing Marie Antoinette.

The highlight for me was seeing our Canadian icon Celine Dion sing Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à L’Amour” on the Eiffel Tower. Despite her ongoing struggle with a terrible disease, she performed with what I call the “Celine Power,” making her appearance a true triumph!

In contrast, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony, often hailed as “the greatest ever in Olympic history,” was a spectacular showcase of China’s rich history and emerging modernity, delivered with unique precision and grandeur. For the first time, China boldly stepped onto the world stage to host the Games. Held in the Bird’s Nest National Stadium, a symbol of peace, the ceremony began at 8:00 PM on 8 August 2008, as the number 8 was considered auspicious and associated with prosperity in Chinese culture. Directed by Zhang Yimou, the event featured over 15,000 performers and dazzled with intricate choreography and technological feats. The 2008 drummers who pounded the traditional Fou drum in unison while chanting Confucius’ words, “Isn’t it delightful to have friends coming from afar?” set the tone. From synchronized drummers to breathtaking fireworks, Beijing delivered a visually stunning and meticulously executed show that left the world in awe.

While Beijing’s ceremony demonstrated what a first-time host could achieve, Paris’s creativity was particularly poignant following the global pandemic and ongoing international tensions. Beijing showcased the strength of unity and synchronized perfection, whereas Paris created a remarkable outdoor masterpiece. They both brought out the best of their cultures, offering the world a glimpse into the heart and soul of their respective nations.

In the end, both Olympic ceremonies embody the spirit of unity, excellence, and the celebration of humanity. They remind us that despite our differences, every country has something remarkable to offer, and the Olympic Games continue to bring the world together in extraordinary ways.

Kathy Keyi Jia-Jones, M.A. is the author of Effective Intercultural Communication and Conflict Solving (published by Nelson Education Canada, 2012) and the founder and president of Cross-Cultural Biz.

In the early ’90s, she was a bilingual reporter (English and Mandarin) and translator for CBC. She played an essential role in launching NewsWorld International’s unique pilot project—a daily broadcast of China’s CCTV prime-time news translated into English.