Yang Jeong-woong (center), executive creative director of the opening ceremony of the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, speaks during a press conference in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Thursday. (Organizing Committee of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024)
The focus of the opening ceremony for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games will be on celebrating each young individual’s potential, said Yang Jeong-woong, executive creative director for the ceremony, Thursday.
The opening ceremony will take place on Jan. 19.
Yang, who served as executive producer of the opening ceremony for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, likened the potential of the youth to the universe, which is the main theme of the opening ceremony, set to take place simultaneously at the Gangneung Oval, the venue for speed skating, and the PyeongChang Dome.
“There is a philosophical concept called 'microcosm,' where a vast universe is contained within each individual, and thus, we bring forward the idea that we are each a precious existence within our own microcosm,” Yang told reporters during a press conference held in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Thursday.
The opening ceremony, under the theme of "Let Us Shine," will feature about 300 performers, including several K-pop groups, pansori pop band Leenalchi and the Ambiguous Dance Company.
Most of the K-pop groups chosen to participate in the opening ceremony made their debut last year, highlighting their potential, Yang added. The Ambiguous Dance Company will team up with local amateur dance students.
The music for the opening ceremony will showcase the charm of Korean traditional instruments.
The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics will also introduce a digital flame, as part of sustainability considerations, Yang said.
Over 1,800 athletes from nearly 80 countries are taking part in the 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympic Games, competing in 7 sports including skating, skiing and ice hockey, as well as in 15 disciplines. The Winter Games will take place for 14 days in four cities in Gangwon Province -- PyeongChang, Gangneung, Jeongseon and Hoengseong.
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