This Sunday, at 4 p.m., mainland Portuguese time, hosts Qatar and Ecuador will kick off the 2022 World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, in front of around 60,000 spectators. About an hour before that, the traditional opening ceremony will take place, which will last 30 minutes, and which is awaited with some anticipation, because according to Italian Marco Balich, artistic director of the ceremony, it will be unlike anything that has already happened. seen so far, and will also serve to respond to the immense criticism Qatar has been targeted in the areas of human rights, treatment of migrant workers and the LGBT community
“I can’t spoil the surprise, but there will certainly be attention and answers to all the questions that are currently under discussion. It’s not about giving in to the West, it’s about being the platform on which Asia and the Western world being able to meet — feel comfortable. I think there will be answers to all the criticisms and questions that have been raised,” Balich told the Associated Press, which has been involved in the shows at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics and Tokyo 2020 events.
“The message and content of this opening ceremony have been handled personally by the leaders of the country. They want to talk about multiculturalism, accept diversity and be a platform for peace,” continued Marco Balich, who promised that the ceremony will go far beyond the traditional show musical. .
The Italian artistic director, despite not revealing any details, raised the bar much higher during the opening show. “We have a team of 900 people with the best choreographers and lighting technicians in the world,” Balich assured. “I think it will be a big step for the history of the World Cups, and the next edition in the United States, Mexico and Canada will inherit the challenge of creating this great show that enriches the experience and identity of the entire tournament he added, revealing that it won’t be anything like what happens at halftime in the Super Bowl.
Due to controversy and cultural issues in Qatar, several artists, such as Shakira, Dua Lipa and Rod Stewart, refused to perform at the opening ceremony. Certainly the presence of the South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook (BTS), who will sing the theme “Dreamers”, one of the official songs of the 2022 World Cup, as well as Robbie Williams, Lil Baby and the already rehearsing Black Eyed Peas.
The usual speeches by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, are also scheduled.
Source: DN
