The opening ceremony of the Asian Games, which will begin at 7 p.m. local time, and will last for three hours, will have thousands of dancers and hundreds of Indonesian musicians, including those whose works are well known overseas.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - All eyes are certain to be directed on the eagerly awaited opening ceremony of Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Aug 18, 2018.

The preparations for the opening ceremony of the Asian Games have almost been finished, and it will be far more festive than other sports events, because it will be enlivened with various art and cultural attractions.

Indonesian National Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Chairman Erick Thohir has ensured that supporting facilities for the opening ceremony, such as electricity, clean water, and wireless internet connection will be available without interruption.

Other facilities, such as transportation and security, are also ready with all possibilities to provide comfort to all those who come to witness the opening of the 2018 Asian Games.

In fact, all the performers of the Asian Games opening ceremony, including the dancers, have been practicing since the last three months to prepare themselves well.

The opening ceremony of the Asian Games, which will begin at 7 p.m. local time, and will last for three hours, will have thousands of dancers, more than 18 singers, and hundreds of Indonesian musicians, including those whose works are well known overseas.

In accordance with the slogan "Energy of Asia," the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games carries the culture of the archipelago through music and colossal dances, which will certainly radiate the spirit of Indonesia to the whole world.

For the creative affairs of the opening ceremony, the steering wheel is fully handed over to Wishnutama, as the Creative Director of the Opening & Closing ceremony of Asian Games.

Wishnutama, commonly called Tama, said that music and dance from various regions of Indonesia will be performed by six thousand dancers, musicians, and support personnel.

Josiah Alexander Sila, better known as Joey Alexander, is an Indonesian jazz pianist, who will join the artists, singers, and dancers to enliven the Asian Games opening ceremony.

Born in Denpasar, Bali, on June 25, 2003, this young Indonesian jazz pianist has learnt by himself to play jazz at the age of six by listening to his father`s classic jazz albums.

Alexander, a child prodigy, won the Grand Prix at the 2013 Master-Jam Fest when he was nine.

In 2014, Wynton Marsalis had invited him to play jazz at Lincoln Center, which, according to The New York Times, made him an "overnight sensation."

Alexander released his first album, My Favorite Things, in 2015 at the age of 11 and played at the Montreal and Newport Jazz Festivals in 2015 and had also performed for Herbie Hancock, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

He is one of the greatest pianists in Indonesia. When he comes onto the stage, a hush of silence falls over the audience and lasts until he leaves.

No one ever forgets his performances. What makes Alexander different from other pianists is his dedication and his ability to hold music close to his heart.

If one were try to play on a piano that Alexander has just finished performing, the contrast would be most painful. One could play it all day, but would be unable to produce anything that even a child could appreciate.

Based on data from INASGOC in Jakarta, Alexander, who has been able to compete with the world`s senior jazz musicians, will showcase his abilities with Raisa, Tulus, Edo Kondologit, Putri Ayu, Fatin, GAC, Anggun, Via Vallen, Rian D`Masiv, Cakra Khan, Rossa, Ariel, Wizzy, Maroli Tampubolon, Rinni Wulandari, Sheryl Sennafia, and Kamasean.

Together, they will enliven the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games in front of more than 42 thousand live spectators.

Wishnutama noted that music and dance performances from various regions in Indonesia will be showcased by six thousand dancers and musicians, including Alexander, and other supporting staff members.

"If I have to disclose about the opening ceremony, then the element of surprise that we have prepared will be lost. Hence, in essence, we will raise the element of diversity, so that Indonesia can become a symbol of Energy of Asia," Wishnutama stated.

According to Wishnutama, Alexander is one of the proofs of Energy of Asia, especially Indonesia, as he has acquired Grammy Awards nominations that have set high standards for every musician.

INASGOC has estimated that some five billion spectators around the world will watch the opening ceremony and the Asian Games matches from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.

"We are targeting five billion pairs of eyes from around the world that will watch the Asian Games," Dani, the media and PR director of INASGOC, noted at a Media Personnel Technical Coordination meeting in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, last Friday.

According to Dani, the number of indirect viewers, or those not present at the venues of the matches, will be far more when compared to the live audience, or those at the location.

"Certainly, the number of indirect viewers, for instance, through streaming, will be more than the number of direct audience. We are responsible for broadcasting the broadest possible number of Asian Games matches," Dani noted.

Furthermore, he stated that there will be increasingly more number of direct and indirect viewers of the Asian Games, and it is expected to broaden the understanding of Indonesia among more people.

Hence, the organizing committee will continue to strive, so that Indonesia can come under the global spotlight as a host that is able to hold the Asian Games successfully.

If Indonesia is able to successfully hold the 2018 Asian Games, the country could most likely also be hosting the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games.

Edited by Rahmad Nasution

Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018