Cali - Colombia will celebrate the opening of the 9th edition of The World Games on the evening of July 25th, 2013 at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium. The opening ceremony of this multi-sport event, which is being held for the first time in Latin America, promises to be memorable for 4.000 athletes, thousands of visitors and millions of Colombians who will be able to enjoy a true sporting party for the world.
Martha Ana Pizarro, an anthropologist by profession and now, after 15 years of association with the event, Director of the Iberoamerican Theater Festival of Bogotá, is in charge of every detail of the choreography, sound, lighting and installation for the big opening day. For an hour and 20 minutes the whole of Cali will vibrate with the World Games 2013, and Fair Play to the Planet.
This experienced group of artists has performed in 13 editions of the Iberoamerican Theater Festival, and at the Closing Ceremony of the Under 20 Soccer World Cup in 2011, as well as at Colombia’s Bicentennial Birthday Celebrations in 2010. The team of artists who developed the event is best known in Colombia for their great work in the capital city with the Iberoamerican Theater Festival. However, the opening show of The World Games 2013 will bring together the very best of their artists, the best musical talent, circus performers and dancers from Cali - Heaven’s “branch office on Earth”.
One hundred contemporary dancers, 400 Cali salsa dancers, and 80 circus artists will participate in the show, supported by hundreds of people from Cali responsible for the technical stage management. The international flavor of the show will be provided by a couple of Spanish choreographers, recognized worldwide as specialists in creating large-scale choreographed patterns.
Spectators will enjoy a show that starts with a representation of how the Games were brought to Colombia, followed by anthems and the official inauguration, the parade of delegations and portrayals of the 31 sports that will be in competition during the 11 days of the event.
Ms. Pizarro confirmed that the spectacle would also feature the rapid, fluid movements characteristic of Parkour (free-running), as well as a feast of music with Pacific rhythms, all ending with a salvo of Salsa.
The World Champions in Salsa and Latin Swing as well as dancers belonging to 25 of the various dance schools in the city will participate in the opening of the World Games 2013 Cali,. They will be accompanied by international circus artists trained in Cali by the Foundation “Circus for All”, artists recognized for their impressive stunts and the degree of difficulty in their performances. “Circus for All” is the cradle of many renowned global performing artists, who participate in shows such as "Cirque du Soleil".
So it is that, thanks to the host city’s vocation and extensive experience in visual arts, the quality of its artists and dancers, and the advanced technology that will be deployed, the spectators and TV viewers of The World Games 2013 Cali will be guaranteed an opening ceremony full of emotions. “We want to be convincing, to reach deep into everyone’s soul. We want to leave them wanting to see more, after an unforgettable evening," said Martha Ana Pizarro.