Fabulous Opening Ceremony sets the tone in Budapest

The Danube river, the Chain Bridge and the impressive Castle on the Buda side were the perfect scenario for an outstanding Opening Ceremony of the 17^th FINA World Championships in the Magyar capital. With the stage set on the river’s waters, the Aquatic family was offered a memorable two-hour show, where the Hungarian traditions perfectly combined with the spirit of the FINA disciplines.

Using water projections throughout the entire show, an incredible display of light and sound accompanied the choreographies of the dancers and artists performing in the ceremony.

Divided in four big “chapters”, the show naturally put “water” as the central theme of the performances. “Water and Life” opened the show and presented the relationship of Hungarian sports and culture with the most important classical element of all, water, using sounds and images.  

“Water and Culture” displayed an historic evolution of the Magyar history, starting by the Roman Age, then followed by the conquest of the Carpathian basin, the Buda renaissance, the age of Hungarian hussars, and of course the tribute to great composer Ferenc Liszt. It was in the riverside of the Danube, while listening to the lapping of its waters, that he began to compose his most famous work, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, which was played on the most beautiful bridge of the Hungarian capital, the Chain Bridge, interpreted by contemporary virtuoso pianist Gergely Boganyi. The experience was made complete by the spectacular light show by a fleet of Hungarian-developed drones.

The show then proceeded with the remembering of Empress Sissi, and the beauties of Lake Balaton, where the Open Water Swimming competition will take place during these Championships.

In part 3, “Water and Sport”, a vibrant homage was paid to Hungarian’s legend and first-ever Swimming Olympic champion (at the 1896 Games in Athens), Alfred Hajos. While playing the Hungarian anthem, the Organisers also remembered the 60 most successful Magyar athletes of recent decades.

The venues and the FINA six aquatic disciplines were then presented, and the parade of participating countries’ flags followed. 

The official speeches were then delivered by the Mayor of Budapest Istvan Tarlos, FINA President Dr Julio C. Maglione and the President of Hungary Janos Ader, who officially opened the 17^th FINA World Championships, staged from July 14-30.

“We couldn’t have chosen a better place for this celebration! The Danube river will also be at the centre of this competition and the majority of the outstanding venues here in the Magyar capital are located in its banks, largely confirming our motto ‘Water is our World’”, declared Dr Maglione. “We are ready to live a memorable Aquatic Festival for the next two weeks here in Hungary”, the FINA President continued.

“More than 2’000 athletes from over 180 nations will delight the world with their performances. Many Stars will shine in the days to come and new names will make their appearance in the medal charts. This is the beauty of Sport, and Aquatics is proud to display this diversity. My sincere thanks go to our National Federations for their effort and devotion to the preparation of their athletes, coaches and officials”, concluded Dr. Julio C. Maglione, before warmly expressing his gratitude to the Hungarian authorities for their outstanding support in the set-up of the competition.

The final moments of the ceremony reserved a very nice surprise, when Krisztina Egerszgi, the most successful Hungarian swimmer of all time, five-time Olympic champion, probably initiated a new tradition for FINA’s World Championships’ Opening Ceremonies: for the first time in the history of the event, in an analogy of lighting the Olympic flame, an aquatic symbol indicates the start of the competition. The new symbol of the FINA World Championships has been named Fontana by the organisers.

The grandiose show then concluded with an outstanding firework, which illuminated the entire Danube scenario and indicated that after the conclusion of the ceremony it is now time for the athletes to shine in Budapest and Balaton.