2011 Asian Winter Games opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Winter Games was held at the Astana Arena, in Astana, Kazakhstan. It began at 6:00 PM (UTC+06:00) on 30 January 2011 and lasted approximately three hours.

An estimated 30,000 were in attendance at the venue. There were an estimated 700 performers.

Guests

 * Faisal bin Al Hussein - Prince of Jordan
 * Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
 * Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah - Current IOC member representing Kuwait and president of the Olympic Council of Asia
 * Nursultan Nazarbayev - President of Kazakhstan
 * Jacques Rogge - President of the International Olympic Committee
 * Roza Otunbayeva - President of Kyrgyzstan
 * René Fasel - President of the International Ice Hockey Federation
 * Imangali Tasmagambetov - Current mayor of Astana
 * Alexander Zhukov - Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and President of the Russian Olympic Committee

Opening section
A dramatised performance based on traditional Kazakh epic poems accompanied by a group of ethnic drummers, which was followed by a volley of red fireworks began the show.

National anthem
Members of the Kazakhstan army marched the Kazakh flag to the flagpost. The anthem was then sung by Azamat Zheltyrguzov while the flag was risen.

Parade of Nations
Countries paraded in English alphabetical order, with Kuwait marching second-to-last (due to their suspension by the IOC) and Kazakhstan marching last as the host nation.

Below is list of countries that are confirmed to compete and their national flagbearers during the ceremony. All the countries were given warm receptions by the crowd, however a deafening welcoming roar was given to the home team.

Cultural Program
Included in the cultural show was the history of Kazakhstan, with a bird's eye view from an eagle swooping over the vast plains. With dance, song and distinctive musical instruments, the props came to life – notably when water cascaded from the top of the set and lighting transformed the stage into a rough sea to rock the boat looking for new lands.

Also, "The gift packs for the visitors inside the 30,000-seat indoor football stadium included a bag of four snowball-size white sponge balls. Taking their lead from a band of tiny-tot performers dressed as flowers towards the end of the cultural show, the audience opened their packet of "snowballs" and proceeded to pelt anyone and everyone in sight"

Notable songs performed during this program, composed by Igor Krutoy include;


 * La fantasia - Nurzhamal Usenbaeva
 * My Star (Also known as; New Year) - Roza Rymbayeva and Batyrkhan Shukenov
 * Ulisse - Talgat Musabayev (not to be confused with the Kazakh cosmonaut of the same name)
 * Always - Lara Fabian

Entry of the Olympic Council of Asia Flag
6 famous athletes and coaches carried the flag. They were:
 * Hwan Mai - Coach
 * Serik Konakbayev - Former Olympic silver medalist in boxing for the USSR at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
 * Kenzhe Sarsekenova - Coach
 * Lyudmila Prokasheva - Former Olympic bronze medalist speed skater for Kazakhstan at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
 * Vladimir Smirnov - Former multiple Olympic medalist cross-country skier for Kazakhstan and the USSR.
 * Aliya Yussupova - Multiple gold medalist rhythmic gymnast at the 2006 Asian Games.

Oaths
The athletes and jury pronounced solemn oaths before the banner of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Opening remarks/Official Opening
The mayor of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov gave a speech. "The Asiad is being held by Kazakhstan due to the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The victory of an athlete is the victory of the country".

This was followed by president of the Olympic council of Asia Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah also giving a welcoming speech. "Kazakhstan is a very respectful member of the international sport community. The Olympic Council of Asia congratulates President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Government of Kazakhstan, mayors and people of Astana and Almaty".

The games were then officially opened by the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Lighting of the Cauldron
The Olympic torch relay, which had criss-crossed the country during January, arrived at its final destination at the Astana Arena, with a group of the country's most decorated sports veterans jointly lighting the Games flame.

This followed by Korean oprea singer Sumi Jo singing "Angels Pass Away".

Finally, another barrage of fireworks that lit up the night sky of the Kazakhstan capital to close the show.