Impressions from the Opening Ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games

On the evening of December 9, at Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, the Opening Ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) took place in a colorful and vibrant atmosphere, opening the largest sports festival in the region.

Opening ceremony SEA Games s 33 was staged as an art feast with 5 large-scale performances, combining traditional Thai culture and modern performance technology, fully recreating the development journey of the SEA Games from 1959 to the present. Rajamangala National Stadium was transformed into a vibrant multi-layered space thanks to a high-resolution LED system, lasers, multimedia projection and 360° 3D mapping technology, bringing tens of thousands of spectators a feast of light and eye-catching art.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivers the opening speech at the 33rd SEA Games.

In his opening speech, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized: “Thailand is honored to host the 33rd SEA Games. With the spirit of solidarity of 11 Southeast Asian countries, with more than 10,000 athletes and coaches from countries in the region, we will strive to create a memorable sports festival and aim for common success. On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I would like to respectfully declare the opening of the 33rd SEA Games.”

One of the highlights of the Opening Ceremony was the performance that celebrated Thai identity, expressed through cultural symbols such as the Ram Thon dance, Hanuman, white elephants and Ayutthaya architecture, skillfully combined with contemporary dance language to highlight the region's sporting spirit. The participation of famous artists such as BamBam Kunpimook Bhuwakul, Nattawut Srimok (Golf F.Hero), V Violet Wautier, Twopee Pitawat Phrueksakit and martial arts legend Buakaw Banchamek added to the attraction and excitement of the program.     

The opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games was staged as a grand artistic feast with five large-scale performances, combining traditional Thai culture with modern performance technology.

Besides the impressive artistic performances, the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games retained the traditional rituals familiar from many previous editions, including the flag procession, the parade of sports delegations, the flag-raising ceremony, and the torch procession and lighting of the ceremonial flame.

In the solemn flag-raising ceremony, the flag of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, the national flag of Thailand and the 33rd SEA Games flag were solemnly carried at the head of the parade, creating a sacred and proud atmosphere. Immediately after, the 11 sports delegations participating in the 33rd SEA Games marched past the stage to the cheers of the audience.

The sports delegations participating in the 33rd SEA Games paraded past the grandstand amidst the cheers of the spectators.

The sports delegations will march in alphabetical order and as usual, the host team Thailand will march last. The Vietnamese sports delegation is the second to last to enter the field, standing out with their bright red and yellow uniforms. Middle blocker Le Thanh Thuy (volleyball) and Le Minh Thuan (karate) are the two players chosen to be flag bearers, marching with the whole delegation in a joyful atmosphere, showing their determination to conquer the achievement goals.

Representatives of the Vietnamese sports delegation participate in the parade at the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games.

Attend SEA Games 33, Vietnam Sports Delegation was established with 1,165 members, including 1 head of delegation, 3 deputy heads of delegation, 69 medical staff and staff, 44 team leaders, 16 experts, 191 coaches, 841 athletes. The athletes will compete in 47 events and sub-events in the official competition program announced by the host country Thailand. The goal of the Vietnam Sports Delegation is 90 - 110 Gold Medals and to be in the top 3.

Next, the flag-raising ceremony was conducted in a solemn atmosphere. The flag of the Southeast Asian Sports Federation was slowly raised, fluttering alongside the Thai national flag, marking the sacred moment that opened the regional sports games.

The torch for the opening of the 33rd SEA Games was solemnly passed from hand to hand by prominent Thai athletes before being lit in the cauldron.

The final and most anticipated part for the audience is the torch relay and the lighting of the cauldron. The SEA Games torch departed from Bangkok, passing through Chonburi, Songkhla and Nakhon Ratchasima, passing through the hands of many athletes. Then, the torch was brought back to Bangkok and carried by the representative athletes of Thailand to the stage to light the cauldron. The moment the flame burst into flames symbolizes the enduring sportsmanship, the will to rise and the solidarity of the countries in the region.

The 33rd SEA Games flame was lit on the Rajamangala cauldron.

A brilliant fireworks display lasting for several minutes concluded the 33rd SEA Games Opening Ceremony, marking the official start of the sports delegations' journey of competition in the coming days. The ceremony left a deep impression, opening up expectations for a successful congress, bursting with emotions and many imprints.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/an-tuong-le-khai-mac-sea-games-33.html