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

Arena Corinthians - abertura da Copa 2014

Most of the elements of the party revolved around a gigantic high-tech globe at the center of the fieldMarcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil

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.

Arena Corinthians - abertura da Copa 2014

The event lasted for 25 minutes and treated spectators to the performance of 660 dancersMarcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil

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.

Cerimônia de abertura da Copa do Mundo de 2014 (Marcello Casal Jr./Agência Brasil)

World Cup opening ceremonyMarcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil

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

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