In spite of the audiences that wait for the slightest indication of an act of violence, these opening ceremonies hope to have Russia shine through the criticisms and present the modern state that Putin desires.
The set itself of the opening ceremonies performance is massive, with conveyors operating to carry the pieces into the center of the arena.
Beginning with a montage of some of the most monumental events in Russian History, ranging from Catherine the Great to the development of a Russian Empire, to great feats of engineering. Their scientific contributions were recognized, as was the great history of Russian dance, art, and music. Sputnik was given his due, as was Pushkin. The emotions surrounding these achievements were shown at the end of the presentation, followed by a countdown ending in a performance by 5th-grade girl, who represents the feminine spirit of Russia. Her childlike persona provides the beginning of a metaphor based on the Russian people as dreamers. The massive size of the Russian country is represented by a series of islands suspended in midair as the child floats over them all in her dream, singing of Russia.
On the stage below, a white-clad choir marches into the arena, as they accompany the floating girl in singing for the glory of their country. Five bright white snowflakes are dropped from the ceiling and expand to form the Olympic rings. However, the far right ring fails to open, leaving a snowflake to shine next to the other four rings.
After the intruduction of Vladimir Putin of Russia and the President of the IOC, a Russian men's choir hails the event with a rich and full rendition of the state anthem of the Russian federation. As they sing, red, white, and blue clad performers form the shape of the Russian flag on the floor of the arena. For the finale of the anthem, the flag on the floor waves back and forth before six Russian cosmonauts are given the honor of raising the flag.
Parade of Nations: Highlights
An animated globe on the floor highlights the coutries of the world as the Parade of Nations begins. As is tradition, Greece leads the parade, although they only bring seven athletes to the winter games. Australia is next, with their powerful snowboarders that have already proven themselves in yesterday's competitions.The alpine skiing powerhouse, Austria enters with a sizable contingent. no other nation has won more medals in alpine skiing throughout their Olympic career.
In 1980, Azerbaijann was still a part of the Soviet Republic. All former USSR nations are here, except for Turkmenistan.
Andorra has never medaled at the Olympics, but has attended every games since 1976.
A small contingent from Argentina features a figure skater who intends to defend her gold medal with a rendition accompanied by tango music.
Only one athlete attends from the British Virgin Islands, who intends to compete in the freestyle halfpipe.
Seven athletes hail from Belgium, who was the last country to host both the Summer and Winter Games.
Bermuda's single athlete, a Dartmouth graduate enters in traditional fashion, with bright red knee-length Bermuda shorts.
Great Britain enters, bringing with them their entirely Scottish curling team. Incidentally, all of the stones used in Olympic curling competitions are also sourced in Scotland.
Hungary has medaled 6 times in figure skating, but has failed to make the podium since 1980.
The Venezuelan flag-bearer enters in grand style, bounding and bouncing through the Olympic arena.
Germany's rainbow uniforms brighten the parade, although the country released an official statement that their uniforms were not intended as a form of protest against Russia's anti-gay laws.
Representing the Dominican Republic, Staten Island native Gary D. Silvestri will compete in cross-country skiing.
Zimbabwe's single athlete attends the University of Colorado. Zimbabwe is one of only three African nations represented at the Winter Olympics.
Israel and Iran were paired back-to-back in the parade, leaving spectators to wonder about the potential political ramifications of their proximity.
World Champion figure skater Javier Fernandez gives hope to Spain of ending their 22-year medal drought.
Canada enters with an impressive number of red-clad athletes to accompany their impressive medal record.
China's president looks on as his country's representatives enter with hopes to bring the glory of the summer games to these winter ones.
The Latvian team features bright yellow coats and zig-zag patterned scarves and hats.
Lebanon has a long tradition of skiing in the Winter Olympics, with both athletes planning on competing in ski events.
The independent Olympic Participants are an especially interesting category, as they hail from several nations.
The Nepalese flag-bearer has stated that he "knows he will be last in his event", but he is glad to be an example for others in his country.
The New Zealand flag bearer marched in style with a fur cape that caused much excitement in the Peanut Gallery. "They should just rename New Zeland Middle Earth!"
Paraguay's first ever winter athlete is in the new slopestyle event at these Winter Olympics.
The next Winter Olympics host, South Korea, enters with their defending Women's Figure Skating gold medalist.
Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, 6'9" is the flag bearer for Slovakia.
Peanut Gallery, "USA USA USA!"
Todd Lodwick carries the flag as the United States enters with their eye-poppingly decorated cardigans. This is the largest USA Winter Olympics team ever assembled. Moguls skier Heidi Kloser enters on crutches. Her first question after being injured was, "Do I still count as an Olympian?" Her march tonight answers that question with a resounding, "Yes!"
Thailand athlete Vanessa-Maw is an accomplished violinist in addition to an Olympic skier.
A former French skier is representing Togo at these Olympics as their first ever Winter Olympian.
Ukraine is met with loud cheering as their team enters the arena. The proximity of their country to Russia ensures a respectable number of fans attending the ceremonies.
The Peanut Gallery approved of the Czech Republic's fuzzy white hats, citing pure white uniform elements as the best for the Winter games.
Over 100 Swiss athletes march into the arena with bright red uniforms and even brighter smiles as they seek to carry on the strong Swiss winter tradition.
Jamaica is welcomed with a massive cheer, as its bobsledders fulfill the dreams laid out in the 1993 movie, Cool Runnings.
Russia's team comes forth into the area accompanied by deafening cheers and a pleased expression from Putin. More than 230 athletes, the largest delegation in Winter Olympic history, will seek to bring the host country honor throughout the games.
The next section of the performance, titled "Rite of Spring"begins with an 80-foot tall troika slowly progressing across the arena amidst a light snowfall. Down below, traditional onion domes are surrounded by brightly-colored dancers, which move to form the shape of a whale. The original girl singing is in the center. She is lifted up by a group of brightly colored dancers as the music increases in temp and the onion domes are set aloft to hover over the floor.
Next, the light patterns on the floor create an ocean with a ship of the first Russian Imperial Navy, representing Russias military power. A performer dressed as a captain accompanies the ship, along with other performers dressed as sailor. A map of St. Petersburg unrolls over the ocean and a battalion of performers marches over the map and performs a military-inspired dance. They move through the streets of St. Petersburg as the projections change.
Peanut Gallery, "Is this supposed to be a representation of Russian History?" "Yeah, but they're glossing over the mass murders."
The music shifts and the performers become ballroom dancers acting out the famous ballroom scene in Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. Columns rise from the ground and ballet dancers take center stage as they showcase one of Russia's proudest arts.
"If there's one thing the Russians do right, it's ballet."
The tone of the ballet instantly changes as the lights dim and strobes illuminate the dancers that have begun to perform in unison.
Imperial Russia ends with the introduction of the propaganda train descending over the arena. Its red color sweeping over the floor overshadows the violence in Russia's past. Putin's focus seems to be on creating a Russian history that Russian can be proud of. Time presses forward as gears are rolled across the floor and scaffolding rises. Uniform performers represent the conformity of Russian society, appearing to be no more than cogs in the industrial revolution.
A flash of white clears the stage of all red elements and the lights go out to reveal floating lights as a means of remembering the great loss of life in WWII. Roads are mapped across the floor as Russia rebuilds. "I'm sure their Russian forefathers would have loved to see their hard work represented in interpretive dance"
Skyscrapers are constructed, Soviet cars drive through, and the late Soviet period is portrayed. The space program takes center stage and the performers have a more western appearance with brightly colored 1950s style clothing. Dancers pair up as they mime weddings, followed by a Russian baby boom. The child from the beginning of the program rises once again, this time holding a red balloon to represent the end of the 20th century dream. The balloon floats away as Russia looks towards the future that Putin has prepared for it.
Speeches from Olympic representatives were met with boos at calls for tolerance and for following Russian guidelines, but ended with a smattering of applause as they welcomes Putin.
Putin himself declared the games to be open, and fireworks lit up the whole of the Olympic complex.
Russia's symbolic "Dove of Peace" was represented by dancers illuminated by dangling strands of LEDs, who performed to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Their swirling forms produced a jellyfish-like quality as they floated over the floor. "It's the jellyfish of peace." At the end, the dancers formed the shape of a dove on the floor.
Following the raising of the Olympic flag, ice skaters take the stage in a series of concentric circles rotating around each other. Constellation-like figures of winter sport athletes appear over the center of the arena, with hockey players facing off, skiers rotating in the air, and figure skaters balancing on one foot in the sky. The impressive light show increases to a near strobe-like speed and motifs from music throughout the ceremony are replayed and combined in new ways.
Tennis legend Maria Sharapova brings the Olympic torch into the stadium, and after passing through several hands, Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretiak carry the flame through a gauntlet of cheering performers and together light the flame of the 2014 Winter Olympics as the finale of Tchaikovsky's Firebird Suite accompanies them.
"Firebird- the perfect piece to light the flame!"
After the flame is lit, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker lends a festive air to the tremendous fireworks launching across the park and the rings are lowered once again from the ceiling of the arena. This time, all five rings open successfully, providing a more promising outlook for the remainder of the games.
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