World Cup opening ceremony highlights Brazil’s natural beauty
Hundreds of performers paid a tribute to “the three Brazilian
Publicado em 12/06/2014 - 19:08 Por Elaine Patricia Cruz reports from Agência Brasil - São Paulo
The World Cup opening ceremony paid a tribute to Brazil’s wealth and the three “great Brazilian treasures”: nature, people and football. The event lasted for 25 minutes and treated spectators to the performance of 660 dancers. Most of the elements of the party revolved around a gigantic high-tech globe at the center of the field, projecting images and flashing iridescently.
Dancers and volunteers, dressed up as trees, flowers and Indians, simulated the use of canoes and got the party started. Later on, as a tribute to football itself, the globe displayed the flags of all 32 countries participating in the international tournament. Performers then turned into players and walked into the field, after which a gigantic Brazilian flag was shown. At the end of the ceremony, the globe was transformed into a stage, revealing Claudia Leitte as she sang “Aquarela do Brasil.” After that, Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, sporting a Brazil shirt, and American pop singer Jennifer Lopez sang the World Cup’s official song, “We Are One,” alongside Leitte, wrapping up the event.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and several heads of state and leaders, like UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. São Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad and Governor Geraldo Alckmin.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: World Cup opening ceremony highlights Brazil’s natural beauty
Edição: Carolina Pimentel / Augusto Queiroz