Countdown begins for The World Games 2009 / 世運倒數1週年
Countdown begins for The World Games 2009
◎Text by Kuan-Chun Chen
◎Photos by Chung-Hui Pao
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In order to welcome the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung Organizing Committee will hold a series of celebration this July, one year out from the World Games 2009. Starting from 5-20 July, the 2-week activities includes: the Dance Festival, the International Street Art Festival, the Countdown Parade and the Ceremony. In addition to these bustling activities, the KOC will announce the Signature Tune of the World Games 2009 at the ceremony as well.
The starting activity of this series is the Dance Festival from July 5th to 10th. 30 top-grade dance troupes from Southern Taiwan will gather around at the Central Park performing various types of dances: Modern Dance, Ballroom Dance, Aboriginal Dance and Pop Dance. All troupes will be dressed in the most spectacular outfit and present their best to the audience. Program starts daily from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm when 4 to 5 troupes will be performing.
Between the 11th and 20th, the International Street Art Festival will invite more than 36 troupes worldwide to stage at this 10-day long performance all around Kaohsiung City: banks of the Love River, the Urban Spotlight and the Central Park. Invited artists will be showing their signature acts so that citizens and tourists will enjoy the creative beauty of art.
The most spectacular activity of the One-Year Countdown series will certainly be the Countdown Parade, which will be held on Sunday, July 13 from 5pm to 7pm. Formosa Boulevard (Jhongshan Road) Will be closed between Singuang Rd. and Minsheng Rd, for this carnival.
According to the program designed by the KOC Cultural and Tourism Department, performances presented will combine modern & classic, the elegance of the East and the passion of the West. The contrast of Arts will also be the theme of these performances: Hip-Hop dance versus Traditional Dance in electronic music, clowns on stilts versus Middle East belly dancers, marching bands versus classic dance. Other exciting shows include cheerleading, flag bands, Mounted Police Unit and the costume parade from the World Games volunteers.
In addition to the various groups from Taiwan, the community will also participate in the parade to add a local flavor, including performances from the local bands, drama troupes, Mom's Clubs, traditional drama groups and kindergarten kids. The representatives and officials of the Kaohsiung City will also present a creative The World Games Cheerleading Show. The Countdown Parade will definitely be a wonderful celebration.
Then, the big finale of the series will be at the Kaohsiung City Plaza (City Hall, 1F) on July 16, one year out from the World Games 2009. The Signature Tune for the World Games 2009 will be released at the ceremony by Pei-An Yang, the World Games 2009 singer, in his powerful and passionate voice. Honorable guests from the IWGA and many distinguished guests, along with national and international correspondents, will witness Kaohsiung's determination to host and the preparations made for the World Games 2009.
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◎文／江戶川 明
◎攝影／鮑忠暉
為迎接明年的2009世界運動在高雄，世運組織委員會基金會(KOC)
將在今年７月倒數一週年前夕，舉辦一系列慶祝活動，活動內容包括「飛舞迎世運」、「國際街頭匯演」、「倒數一週年大遊行」以及「倒數週年儀式」，除了熱鬧的嘉年華式表演與踩街，還將發表世運主題曲，時間從7月5日開始至20日，為期兩個星期。
負責世運倒數一週年系列活動打頭陣的是「飛舞迎世運」，活動時間是７月５日至10日，30隊南台灣菁英舞蹈團隊將於中央公園大車拼，表演內容囊括現代舞、國標舞、現代舞、原住民舞蹈及街舞，各隊將穿上最耀眼的舞衣，在觀眾面前展現最精采的舞碼。預定每日活動時間是晚間7點半至9點半，每天將安排4至5個表演團隊登台。
７月11日開始至20日，進行的是「國際街頭匯演」，預備邀請36個以上的海內外街頭表演團隊及街頭藝人在高雄聯合演出一連十天的街頭藝術表演；受邀的藝人將分布在愛河東西岸、城市光廊以及中央公園等地，show出他們最拿手的絕活，讓市民和遊客們充分感受高雄市的創意十足藝術之美。
在2009世運倒數一週年系列活動當中，最盛大的慶祝活動就屬「倒數一週年大遊行」，這場嘉年華式的大遊行訂在７月13日星期日下午５點至７點舉行，將封閉中山路新光至民生路段，也就是整條美麗島大道，進行規模至少5000人的藝術踩街。
根據KOC文化觀光部規劃，邀請的表演團隊將融合現代與古典的力與美、東方傳統藝術的雅致與西式表演團隊的熱情、節奏感鮮明的嘻哈舞、傳統造型的三太子與電音的反差呈現、小丑踩高蹺與中東肚皮舞女郎的活潑演出、軍樂隊與古典舞蹈的創新結合，還有青春洋溢的啦啦隊、樂旗隊、騎警隊、世運志工創意造型等。
除了來自台灣各地多元文化的表演團隊外，港都在地社區的參與也將為這場大遊行增添魅力，包括社區樂團、劇團、社區媽媽、傳統戲劇社團、幼稚園小朋友，以及民意代表和市府首長們的世運啦啦隊創意表演，將讓世運倒數一週年大遊行成為一場令人感動的嘉年華慶典。
在世運倒數365天，也就是7月16日，高雄市市府中庭將舉辦2009世運「倒數週年儀式」，同時發表象徵主辦城市精神的世運主題曲，活動當中將安排世運主題曲主唱人楊培安以高亢、熱情的嗓音現場演唱，並邀請國際世界運動會總會、各方貴賓，還有國內外媒體到場，見證高雄市將為世運全力以赴，以及蓄勢待發的準備和決心。