Bravo, Beijing
Were you moved by the opening ceremonies in Beijing? I was, big time!
For all the heat that China has felt leading up to these games, from the treatment of Tibet, to the polluted air, to the fear of suppressing free speech by the international media, they sure did show the planet how to put together an artistic production, didn’t they? It was done with precision, modern day pizaaz and discipline. A four-hour long extravaganza involving tens of thousands of performers that went off seemingly without a hitch or miscue. I would think that one would have to be emotionally and spiritually numb or dead to not be moved in some way.
No, the production did not reflect the most modern era of China’s history, the era that a free world has a hard time accepting, let alone embracing. But, how can any free thinking person not be interested in or moved by the artistic way the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, characterized and celebrated the ancient culture responsible for the invention of fireworks, paper, printing and the compass, not to mention the “noodle,” which evolved into spaghetti or pasta.
The Olympics to me are supposed to be about emotion, pursuit of excellence and national pride -not politics, or about sitting in judgment of counter cultures. Unless or until something happens in Beijing over the next two weeks that is so abhorrent, negligent or that contravenes the spirit of the games, I will hold on to my creative respect, admiration, and appreciation for the opening notes from Beijing that moved me emotionally.