Kaohsiung World Games set to impress world

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu, who is president of World Games 2009 Kaohsiung Organizing Committee (KOC), said at a news conference that although this might be her biggest challenge since she took office two years ago, she is confident the games will be a great success.

"Unlike the more competitive Olympics, the World Games focus more on the concept of friendship, community cooperation and unification that involves more people to demonstrate the special aspect of sports," Chen said.

Noting that the opening ceremony has been put together by the country's most creative professionals and technical experts in audio and lighting, Chen said the ceremony will not only demonstrate to the world that Taiwan has the strength to host a "world class mega event," but also the diversity and fascination of Taiwanese culture.

KOC Art Director Tschen Yu-chiou said the opening ceremony will be an important stage to show the country's image.

"The opening ceremony can promote Taiwan, cultural creativity and how Kaohsiung City has been reborn from an industrial city to a creative city," she said.

Renowned percussionist Ju Tzong-ching, who is serving as the games' general director, said he is honored to have the opportunity to introduce the richness of Taiwanese culture and the beauty of Kaohsiung City and that he believes the world will be deeply touched by the largest sports event of 2009.

Liu Shih-fang, managing director of the KOC, said that more than 4,000 people are involved in the opening and closing ceremonies,which will feature a projection area surpassing the scale of last year's Beijing Olympics.

In addition, the special architectural style of the main stadium will allow a rare "surround" fireworks show to be staged with sensational sound effects from precision computer control, according to the fireworks design team.

Unlike the more common "panoramic" fireworks displays, more than 3,000 fireworks will be launched in a "surround" array that will give the audiences the feeling of being right in the middle of the display, it added.

According to the organizers, New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra will be the lead performer at the opening ceremony, along with other internationally and domestically renowned artists.

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies and events will be available at all 7-Elevens in Taiwan as of April 1, with prices from NT$75 (US$2.2) to NT$750, while those who preorder tickets will enjoy a 20 percent discount.

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