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ATHENS 2004
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Closing Ceremony Media Guide
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Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

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Embargo
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The contents of this guide relating directly to the Closing Ceremony may not be broadcast, printed or communicated to the public in any way prior to the commencement o f
e the Closing Ceremony.

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An introduction to this media guide

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Contents This guide has been produced in order to help the media understand and interpret every aspect o f the Closing Ceremony o f the 28th Olympiad - both Olympic protocol and
creative - that might be o f interest and relevance to the public.
An introduction to this Media Guide page 4
A message from the ATHENS 2004 President. page 5 #• $ la addition to providing you with the flow o f proceedings from ‘Countdown’ to ‘Concert’, the guide also offers general background guide information.
A message from the Producer page 6
Key contributors page 7 The description o f each segment o f the ceremony begins on a new page and features segment specific information:
3
General production facts page 10
The segment title
Overview of the Olympic Stadium page 13 «
Message from the Artistic Director page 14 A brief synopsis
Closing Ceremony Programme summary page 15 t Duration (may be subject to change)
The Closing Ceremony:
Music credits
1. Countdown page 17
2. May the dances last forever page 18 A breakdown o f the action
3. Award ceremony o f men’s Marathon Race page 28 3
4. The Entrance o f the Nation Flags page 29 Visual support (where relevant)
5. The Athletes o f the World page 30 Background notes
6. Official Speeches page 31
7. The Raising of the Greek and Chinese Flags page 32
8. The Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony page 33
9. Beijing 2008 page 34
10. Lowering o f the Olympic Flag page 36
II. Farewell to the Flame page 37
12. Concert page 40
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Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

A message from the President o f the ATHENS 2004 Organising Com m ittee fo r the Olympic
A Message from the Producer
Games, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki £
Within hours of the conclusion o f the Opening Ceremony, whilst the world became engrossed in the greatest sporting event on the planet, on the outskirts o f Athens rehearsals
continued apace for the Closing Ceremony.
For the past 17 days, Greece hosted the greatest celebration o f humanity, with pride, passion and faith to the true spirit o f the Games. All together, athletes, spectators and the
media, we spent memorable moments filled with emotions, joy and excitement. Greece has offered the world a truly unique Olympic Games, giving the Olympic Movement the #■ Thousands o f volunteer performers and supporters have worked tirelessly alongside the international creative, production, technical and operational team to bring down the
curtain on ATHENS 2004 in fitting, spectacular and emotional style.
opportunity to be inspired by and revive the true Olympic values,
It is entirely appropriate that the Closing Ceremony is full o f joy; of dance and music; of tradition and community. Greece has a lot to celebrate.

Before saying goodbye, we are hosting a farewell party for all o f you. Our closing ceremony is an invitation to celebrate together, with enthusiasm and spontaneity, before passing The Athens Olympics has been the source o f many magical moments and images that will endure in the minds of your audiences for years to come.
the torch to Beijing. Join us in a purely Greek party, the best way to say goodbye to our Games. And let us promise that we will meet again soon.
* To our all our cast and crew, we offer our heartfelt thanks for their spirit, their talent and their commitment to share the very best o f Greece with the world.

Kali antamossi! Hope to see you again! To the athletes of the world - united by the spirit o f Olympism - we pay our sincere respects.

Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
*- W e hope you enjoy the Closing Ceremony.

£ David Zoikwer, Director of Jack Morton Public Events

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Key Contributors Video Director Operations Director
Athina Tsangari Mike Kent
CREATIVE PRODUCTION
Texts Stadium Operations Director
Conceived, visualised & directed by: President, International, Jack Morton Worldwide
Lina Nikolakopoulou Ronald Cameron
Dimitris Papaionnou Lois Jacobs
Pyrotechnic Design
Co-creation and music concept creator Director o f Jack Morton Public Events
Christophe Berthonneau
Yorghos Koumendakis David Zolkwer

Production Designer Executive Producer Director - May the Dances Last Forever
Li li Pezanou Andrew Walsh Thomas Moschopoulos

Lighting Designer Producer Assistant Director - May the Dances Last Forever
Eleftheria Deko Celia Smith Nancy Biniadaki

Lighting Consultant Producer Choreographer - May the Dances Last Forever

Robert Dickinson Antony Spanbrook Eleni Gasouka

Lighting Director Coordinating Producer Greek Dances Consultant - May the Dances Last Forever
Ted Wells David Proctor Lefteris Drandakis

Moving Light Designer Coordinating Producer-Athletes’ Parade & Protocol Costume Designer - May the Dances Last Forever
Andy O ’ Reilly Steve Boyd Ellie Papageorgacopoulou

Choreographer Coordinating Producer - May the Dance Last Forever

Angeliki Stellatou Jenny Panoutsopoulou ATHENS 2004 CEREMONIES DEPARTMENT

Field Choreographer & Chartist Music Producer Manager for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Wanda Rokicki Julian Scott
Loukia Antoniades
Mass Choreographer - Parade o f Athletes Senior Technical Director
Doug Jack Adam Wild! Setion Managers for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Iraklis Kellis
Costume Designer Technical Director
Sofia Kokossalaki Costas Charalibidis Anastassios Kiosses

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Stefanos Sevastos

Project Managers for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies General Production Facts
Stella Angeletou
George Vellidis Olympic Stadium
• The Opening Ceremony is being held in the Olympic Stadium within the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA) located in Maroussi, Northern Athens.
John Jossifakis
• The stadium was built in 1982 and completely renovated from 2000 to 2004,
Voula Baroutsa • The stadium seats 72,000.
Kalliope Paradissanou • The new roof o f the stadium was designed by Santiago Calatrava.
• The roof weighs 18,700 tonnes.
Administrators for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies • The roof covers a total area of 25,000 square meters,
Sophia Thoma
Volunteer Performers
Dimitra Siemeki
• There are 3691 volunteer performers participating in the Closing Ceremony.
• Whilst the vast majority of our volunteer performers are Greek nationals, our cast also includes volunteer performers from 14 other countries; Australia, Belgium,
Legal Advisor to the President Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom & USA.
Evgenia Papathanassopoulou • The oldest volunteer performer is 70 years old.
• Over 270 hours of auditions were conducted in order to cast the Opening Ceremony,
Finance Section Manager
• 51,443 telephone calls were made in the cause o f volunteer performer recruitment for the Ceremonies.
Maria Galanopoulou
Support Volunteers
OAKA Technical Director
• Some 2200 members o f the public support backstage activities in costume, lighting, props, scenery, cast coordination etc.
Theocharis Batsios • The oldest support volunteer is 75 years old.
• Over 700 hours of interviews were conducted in order to recruit the ceremony’s support volunteers.
Deputy Venue Manager Olympic Stadium, Opening and Closing Ceremony
• Whilst the vast majority of our support volunteer team are Greek nationals, we also have volunteers representing 31 other countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh,
Christina Lassou Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Nigeria,
Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom & USA,

Volunteer Performer Rehearsals

• The first volunteer rehearsal was on Friday May 28th.
Opening and Closing Ceremony Media Guide Production • The average rehearsal commitment from each volunteer performer has been 12 rehearsals.
• 700,000 bottles of water were consumed during rehearsals.
George Vellidis
• O ur rehearsal site (on the outskirts o f Athens) featured 2km o f painted lines to describe the footprint of the stadium to our cast.

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• Some 6700 coach journeys have been required to ferry cast groups to and from rehearsals. • 360 input channels.

The Wheatfield
§ Com munications:
• The spiral wheatfield is made up o f 45,000 individually ‘planted’ stalks.
• 575 two-way radios.
• It takes 100 man-hours to ‘plant’ the wheat stalks.
è • 337 noise reduction headsets.
• The wheatfield covers an area o f 5940 square metres.
• 2970 in-ear monitors.
The passarelle stage 3 • 84 radio frequencies.
• The passarelle stage is 5 metres wide and 85 metres long. • 8km of audio and data cable.
3 • 1000 metres of ‘tactical’ fibre optic cable.
The Cauldron • 2 high-speed ‘laser’ data links.
• The cauldron was designed by Santiago Calatrava. 3
• The cauldron is 31m in length and 4.7 metres in circumference. Power
• The cauldron is made o f steel, the top 1.5 metres is made o f stainless steel. 3 • 16 generators with a capacity of 21,200 KVA provide the power fo r theceremony.
• Suspended on tw o arms, the tip of the cauldron sits 47m off the performance space.
• The total power available is equivalent to that required to run 202,600 x 60 watt domestic light bulbs.
• A t its lowest point (when being lit), the cauldron tip is just 12.7 metres off the performance space. 3
• The cauldron flame is 6.5m high and has a diameter of 1.5m The Concert
3 • During the party 230,000 balloons will be released into the stadium.
Lighting • There are 70 balloon kites featuring images producedby famous Greekartists such as Theophilos, Dimitris Mytaras, Alekos Fassianos, Loretta Gaiti Charrat, Gianis
• There are 1838 theatrical lights o f which 1592 are automated (moving) fixtures. 3 Tsarouhis & Alexis Kirittsopoulos.
• There are 26 follow-spots.
• 24km o f multicore, 5.5km o f fibre-optic cable and 2.2km CAT 5 Ethernet cabling is required to power and control the lighting rig. ^ The Project Team
• 6 primary desks control the theatrical lighting system. Data is distributed on a backbone o f fibre optic cable,then byCAT 5 Ethernet cable and finally out to the • There are over 390 people on the creative and production team.
instruments using 5-pin DMX cable. •) • Aside from Greek team members, eight other countries are represented on the Jack Morton Public Events production team.
• Around the venue (on the plaza concourse level) there areeight dimmer/switch rooms that drive the roof and balcony rail lighting positions. These supply both 400a • There is an additional (international) technical crew of some 550.
and 300a three-phase supplies. Four also provide a further 125a three-phase supply as well. There are a further five distribution points in the moat to feed all the fixtures
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on the field o f play and these provide a 300a three-phase supply.

Sound ■3
• >370 loudspeakers.
• 859,900-watt loudspeaker system, ■3
• 480 power amplifiers.
• 20,000 metres o f audio cable. 3

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O ven/iew o f the Olympic Stadium A Message from the Artistic D irector

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The Greek celebration, the power o f singing and dancing is the light that illuminates the Closing Ceremony. The way Greeks celebrate finds its origins into ancient times and is
& still alive.

1. Video screen 1 & Now that the honour and joy of hosting all the Nations o f the world are indescribable, we compose inside a golden wheat field, a mosaic made o f festive images steaming of all
Cauldron sides of Greece.
2.
3. Greek Flag # With your help the earthy and human joy o f this land will travel across the whole planet.
4. Olympic flag Our wish is to make the world dance along the Greek music and song.
#
5. Cauldron stage
6. Passarelle stage Dimitris Papaioannou, Concept Creator & Artistic Director
7. Gate 1
8. Gate 2
9. VIP/Tribune area #
10. Gate 3
€
II. Chinese flag pole
12. Choir stage
13. Video screen 2
14, Greek flag pole (2) #

15. Performance area

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Closing Ceremony Programme Summary
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Segment Time Duration
£
NB: Stadium gates open 18:30:00

1. Countdown 21:14:30 00:00:32

2. May the dances last forever 21:15:02 00:30:40 £
3. Award ceremony o f men's Marathon Race 21:45:40 00:07:00 *
4. The Entrance o f the Nation Flags 21:52:40 00:01:00
5. The Athletes o f the World 21:53:40 00:15:00
6. Official Speeches 22:08:40 00:06:35
7. The Raising of the Greek and Chinese Flags 22:15:15 00:03:05 €
8. Ceremony o f the Olympic Flag Handover 22:18:20 00:04:20
9. Beijing 2008 - From Olympia to the Great Wall 22:22:40 00:09:05 a The Closing Ceremony Programme
10. Lowering o f the Olympic Flag 22:31:45 00:03:25
II. Farewell to the Flame 22:35:10 00:04:00
12. Concert 22:39:10 00:43:37 $

End 23:03:03

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1. Countdown (Duration: 00:00:32) MUSIC

mm Synopsis: The final seconds leading to the start o f the ceremony are marked. • Countdown, composed by Stavros
Xarhakos.
* •>

^ •)
BACKGROUND NOTES

• •

A' .,':K''V

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€ ^ A countdown video runs on the stadium video 2. The video features images capturing the
screens. enthusiasm and delight o f Games spectators.
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ê *> 3. As the countdown reaches “0” a pyrotechnics

burst punctuates the start o f the Ceremony.
Page 17
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2. May the dances last forever (D uration: oodoao) MUSIC 2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oodoao) MUSIC

Svnopsi.s: 'May the dances last forever’ is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today, many o f • 'Syngomidi' (‘Harvest’), a mosaic o f Greek Synopsis: 'May the dances last forever' is a colourful and vibrant ‘m osaic' o f celebrations - a ll o f them thriving today, ‘Syngomidi’ (‘Han/est’), a mosaic o f Greek traditional and
traditional and popular music arranged and many o f them originating from ancient times. popular music arranged and conducted by Stavros
them originating from ancient times.
Xaharkos
conducted bv Stavros Xaharkos •)
‘Filoi m’ kalosorisate’ '( W elcome m y friends), traditional
"May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " "May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " Greek song from W estern Thrace.
Dionysis Sawopouios Dionysis Sawopouios

•)

This festival o f dance and music is constructed around a series o f key ‘scenes': BACKGROUND NOTES
BACKGROUND NOTES
The spiral wheat field
1. Calling
A colourful and vibrant ‘mosaic’ o f ■> Golden wheat is the fruit o f the marriage between the earth
2. Wedding and the sun.
celebrations
3. Night
4. Dances of Fire - Distraction and Katharsis
For thousands o f years, the Greek experience of
life has been captured and communicated through
% In Greek festivities, wheat symbolised the fertility o f the earth;
the awakening o f life that arises from death.
5. Festival song and dance,
.......... . The spiral represents the notion o f infinity. It is a form that
Marriages, births, deaths, emigrations, historical and frequently recurs in nature. O u r own galaxy is spiral in form.
political events, joys and sorrows, all are marked by
songs that can be shared by everyone. 5 Greek singers
The five Greek singers that appear in this segment are:

Through song, Greeks have recorded and Haris Alexiou

maintained their links with their past and kept their
heritage alive.
Size o f Greece and ethnic, folkloric and cultural
groups and influences.
Greek music is immensely diverse due to the
Greek assimilation o f different influences from the
Eastern and Western cultures of Asia and Europe.
Stavros Xaharkos
Stavros Xarhakos is one o f Greece’s most
profound contemporary composers. He is as
innovative as he is productive and has written
music for theatre, cinema and television, both at
home in Greece and also abroad.
•ww W-:
Dimitra Galani
. In the centre o f the field is a spiral wheat field, Marinella
2. The cast enter from ail directions, waving
George Dalaras
5 o f the most important Greek singers welcome scarves as they walk. The audience responds
Yiannis Parios
the world with the first song. by waving their own white scarves.
5) Chronis Aidonidis.
Bom in 1928 in Karoti, near Didymoteichon, Thrace.
He has an angelic voice. The life's purpose is the preservation
and sharing o f the music o f Thrace, Even today, as a teacher he
teaches young children the secrets o f his art.
'Filoi m l kalosorisate' (’ W elcom e m y friends’]
The singer welcomes friends to dine and drink together.
I , ' 1 "W elcom e m y friends, m y dear friends please jo in us a t o u r
table fo r a big feast..."
5>

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3. A singer, Chronis Aidonidis. sings ‘Filoi m' 4. Harvesters carrying scythes walk through the
kalosorisate' from the end o f the passarelle wheat field. Page 19
stage.

5)

*>

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 2. May the dances last forever
Synopsis: ‘M ay the dances last forever’ is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today,
many o f them originating from ancient times.
"May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river "
5. A large group o f koudounatoi enter via gate 2...
7. Tsestos dancers follow the koudounatoi and dance
around the spiral and on the stage as...
(Duration: oogoao) MUSIC
• ‘Syngomidi’ (‘Harvest’), a mosaic of Greek traditional
and popular music arranged and conducted by
Stavros Xaharkos
• Tsestos, traditional dance
Dionysis Sawopoubs
BACKGROUND NOTES
Koudounatoi
This ancient Dionysian custom is still alive today. The
loud noise of the bells is intended to wake nature and to
frighten away evil spirits that might harm crops.
These men, from the village of Sohos, and the area of
Drama (in Northern Greece) wear sheep and goat skins
and carry very heavy bells (koudounia) around their
waists. Some of these bells weigh 40kgs each, meaning
that in total some 1.5tonnes of bells feature in this
sequence.
Alexander the Great, whilst campaigning in Asia is said
6. ,. .and flow onto the performance area, making to have dressed his soldiers like koudounatoi and used
their nosiy, ‘Bacchic’ way around the spirial the deafening sound of the bells to drive away attacking
wheatfield. elephants
Tsestos
The men strongly stamp their feet, affirming their
presence and forcing the seed deep into the earth.
Tsestos is a dance from Thrace (East Northern Greece)
performed by men holding onto each other's belts in
order to keep their shoulders free and to stay close to
each other,
8. .. .the harvesting begins.
Page 20
2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oogoao) MUSIC
Synopsis: 'May the dances last forever' is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today, 'Syngomidi' ( ‘Harvest’), a mosaic o f Greek traditional and
many o f them originating from ancient times. popular music arranged and conducted by Stavros Xaharkos
•) 'Ximeronei kai vradiazei' ("Daybreak Nightfall’), music and
"May God keep us healthy so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " lyrics by Vassilis Tsitsanis
»> Dionysis Sawopoubs ‘libs' (The sun'), traditional song
•>
•) BACKGROUND NOTES
Ximeronei kai vradiazei' C'Daybreak. N iphtfall')
•)
D ay breaks, night falls
always w ith the same tune.
Bring m e a drink,
the m ost expensive drin k...
W ine
The ancient god o f Greek mythology, Dionysus, taught the art of
wine to the ordinary people o f Attica. The grape is his sacred
plant and a symbol o f Christ in later times. For thousands o f years
Greek painting, sculpture, poetry and music has celebrated the
■> bond between Greeks and this generous plant
9. Young men and women with bacchio wreaths 10. A sheet is laid at the end o f the passarelle stage Months
on their heads run onto and around the which becomes a ‘winepress’. Grapes are spread This sequence is an homage to the w ork o f the great Greek artist
passarelle stage to the sound of 'Ximeronei on the sheet. This way wine is born. Yiannis Tsarouhis. Amongst his prolific output are a series of
■> kai vradiazei. while large group of friends gather famous painting depicting the seasons.
a rm in ri 17 ta b le s
Tsamikos
») Tsamikos is a tough and virile dance from Epirus (W est Northern
Greece) performed by muscular men (Epirus is full o f tall, steep
mountains) wearing Foustanelles (a short kilt similar to the Greek
5) National Guards' uniform). The first dancer, firmly supported by
the second dancer, performs all sorts o f skillful leaps and
maneuvers.
•)
5>
*■)
. 12 allegoric figures representing the months 12. A group o f Tsamikos dancers break off from Page 21
step on the tables and move around the spiral. the flow o f the crowd and form a large semi­
circle in the harvested centre where they
perform llios.
* )
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2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oogcmo) MUSIC
Synopsis: May the dances last forever’ is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today, ‘Syngomidi’ ('Harvest'), a mosaic o f Greek traditional
many o f them originating from ancient times. and popular music arranged and conducted by
Stavros Xarhakos
“May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " Tsakonikos, traditional dance
Dionysis Sawopouios 'Kale sy', traditional song - Central Macedonia
BACKGROUND NOTES
Tsakonikos
Women dancing close to each other in a row, look
straight ahead; affirming their strength, determination
and solidarity.
The spiral pattern of the dance is reminiscent o f the
spiral maze in which Theseus killed the Minotaur (half
man, half bull). On his way back to Athens, he stopped
on the island o f Delos and danced a similar dance with
his companions, imitating the spiral patterns o f the maze.
Tsakonikos is a Peloponnesian d.ance,
Wedding processions
A wedding is a very important event for the whole
13. Tsakonikos dancers break from the crowd and
men carrying a bride on a chair followed by a community. Many rituals were performed in order to
perform a dance in 3 spirals as women enter
wedding flag and guests. protect the young couple from evil and to ensure them
down the passatelle. good health and prosperity.
Domna Samiou
Domna Samiou has devoted her art to the preservation
of Greek culture and especially of the Greek folk song.
Kale sy' fOh vout
“ You have tw o olive-like eyes...,
Hanging on the branch.. .you don’t talk to me a t a ll... "
Page 22
15. The grooms - representing the months - wait
16, Domna Samiou and a female choir sing 'Kale sy’
for their brides.
as...
2. May the dances last forever ( D u r a tio n : o c u o h o ) MUSIC
Synopsis: 'May the dances last forever' is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - a ll o f them thriving today, 'Syngomidi' (Harvest1), a mosaic o f Greek traditional
many o f them originating from ancient times. and popular music arranged and conducted by
Stavros Xaharkos
“May God keep us healthy so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " Balos, traditional dance
Dionysis Sawopouios 'Kale sy Panagia mou’, traditional song - Cyclades
BACKGROUND NOTES
Kalamatianos.
Danced in circles, on a typical 7 tempo, it is comprised
o f 12 basic steps and is Greece's favorite dance.
Ballos
Ballos is known as the ‘Dance o f the islands’. It is
performed by men and women in semi-circles and then
in couples free in space facing each other. The objective
is for the men to beguile the women with their looks
and moves.
■■XtT
Yiannis Parios.
17. ,. .a 'modern' bride runs along the passarelle stage 18. Tables become boats, their cloths, sails. Each Parios started his singing career in 1969. The emotion
to meet her groom. The attendant guests throw sails’ to the centre of the 'sea'. and passion in his voice established him as the ‘Greek
singer of love'.
rice at the couple. The wedding reception
has begun. All the performers dance kalamatianos.
‘Kale sv Panagia mou' ( ‘M y Blessed Virgin')
"My Virgin Mary, and Saint Foteini
Come and be o f help,
so nothing bad happens to m e... "
19. A ballos dance is performed amongst the 20. A chaotic and humorous procession of Page 23
boats as Yiannis Parios sings ‘Kale sy modem bathers appears on the passarelle
Panagia mou’ stage.
Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oo:30:40)
Synopsis: ‘M ay the dances last forever’ is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today,
many o f them originating from ancient times.
"May God keep us healthy, so we can always meet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. "
21. As Marinella sings 'Anapse to tsigaro’ from the
end o f the passarelle stage, a truck loaded with
watermelons travels around the stadium.
23. .. .as Dimitra Galani sings 'Manoula mou’ on
the passarelle.
MUSIC
'Syngomidi' ('Han/est'), a mosaic o f Greek traditionai and
popular music arranged and conducted by Stavros
Xaharkos
'Anapse to tsigaro’ (lig h t the cigarette') composed by
Gerasimos Klouvatos, lyrics by Haralambos Vassiliadis
Dionysis Sawopoubs ‘Manoula mou’ (‘Oh my mother’), composed by Manos
Hatzidakis, lyrics by lakovos Kambanelis.
BACKGROUND NOTES
Marinella
Marinella started her singing career in 1956,
She is the great lady o f Greek song with a unique and
memorable performance style. She was the first to break
away from the orchestra and to move closer to her
audiences in the process. As such, she is credited as
being the first to introduce the show’ to live Greek
music performance.
Anapse to tsigaro’ flig h t the cigarette')
M y heart aches and desires you
/ want yo u r hands as pillows
Let me be in you arms tonight
22. Tsifteteli dancers perform on the tables... Say yes m y love and / w ill be yours
... Come on light a cigarette and give me y o u r fire ...
Tsifteteli
This is a traditional Greek dance, with Eastern roots, it is
a simple, but erotic, non-professional form o f belly
dance.
Dlmitra Galani
Dimitra Galani is one o f the most beloved performers in
Greece, Her repertoire includes the work o f all the
greatest Greek composers. She sings with profound
lyricism. Throughout her career she has been
relentlessly original. She has produced over 80 albums
across many genres from Byzantine hymns to pop music.
24. Boys lay sheets bearing the faces of adored
women from Greek cinema on the passarelle.
The boys then lie on the sheets.
■ )
2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oodoao) MUSIC
•)
Synopsis: May the dances last forever’ is a colourful and vibrant ‘m osaic’ o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today, 'Syngomidi' ('Harvest'), a mosaic o f Greek traditional and
many o f them originating from ancient times. popular music arranged and conducted by Stavros
•) Xaharkos
'Rame mia volta sto fengari’ (le t's take a stroll on the
"May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. "
moon’), composed by Manos Hatzidakis and lyrics by Notis
f) Dionysis Sawopoubs Pergialis
'Stou Thoma' (Thomas’ Taverner'), composed by Stavros
Xarhakos and lyrics by Kostas Ferris
•>
»>
BACKGROUND NOTES
•> Haris Alexiou
Haris Alexiou first appeared on the Greek music scene in the early 70s.
Her faultless performance o f folk, popular and contemporary Greek
songs speaks directly to the hearts o f all Greeks. She has also shared her
beautiful voice with audiences all over the world.
‘Rame mia volta sto fengari’ ("Let's take a stroll on the moon’i
•) This song was originally sung by Melina Merkouri in ‘Never on Sunday
"It's been three days, three days withoutyou,
*) It's been three nights, three nights alone,
i stand like mountains weeping,
when rain waterpours on them
E> Take away my sorrow, my brave man,
let's take a stroll on the moon together.
Fire dancers
•) This custom derives from the ancient cult o f Kledonas. In contemporary
25. As Haris Alexiou sings 'Rame mia volta sto fengari' 26. A new spiral is formed from lights that resemble
the moon appears and travels to the edge o f the
times, on the day o f St John (Ai Gianniou) people leap over fires into
a galaxy. Girls and boys - young lovers - which everything that is old and useless is thrown.
5) passarelle stage. FtembetiCQ
meet and leave together.
The ‘Greek blues’. Originally performed in underground clubs in the
1920s and dominated by the sound o f the bouzouki.
George Dalaras
George Dalaras is perhaps the best known Greek singer in the world.
He has played a leading role in the Greek music industry for 35 years.
Z) ■- He has produced 55 albums and performed almost everything; from
rebetiko and Greek folk songs to latin and ethnic.
0 ‘Stou Thoma' (Thomas' Taverner')
With, this song is an invitation to Thomas’ Tavern, to drink, listen to
music and to relax. Such a merry time will be had that angels and devils
z> alike cannot resist joining the party.
*)
•)
27. Fires are set around the flattened wheat 28. On the pasarelle sit rembetico groups in rows.
and fire dancers leap over them. Page 25
‘Angels’ hold festoons on poles as George
Î) Dal aras sings 'Stou Thoma'.
S)
*>
Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque
 5 )

2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oo:30:40) MUSIC
•)
Synopsis: ‘M ay the dances last forever' is a colourful and vibrant 'mosaic' o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today, Syngomidi' ('Harvest'), a mosaic o f Greek traditional and
many o f them originating from ancient times. popular music arranged and conducted by Stavros Xaharkos
Maleviziotis, traditional dance •)
2. May the dances last forever (Duration: oogoho) MUSIC
Synopsis: May the dances last forever’ is a colourful and vibrant ‘m osaic’ o f celebrations - all o f them thriving today,
• 'Syngomidi' (‘Harvest’), a mosaic o f Greek
many o f them originating from ancient times. traditional and popular music arranged and
conducted by Stavros Xaharkos

“May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " Pyrrihios, traditional dance “May God keep us healthy, so we can always m eet and celebrate, dancing in circles as free as a river. " • Amanes, improvisational tune
• 'Mana mou Hellas', composed by Stavros
Dionysis Sawopouios ») Dionysis Sawopouios
Xarhakos, lyrics by Nikos Gatsos.
• Zorbas, composed by Mikis Theodorakis
•)
BACKGROUND NOTES
»>
Tsolias on a bicycle BACKGROUND NOTES
The tsoliades are the artistic representation o f the soldiers ■D
who serve as the Greek Presidential Guard (Eyzones) and Amanes
one o f the most characteristic images o f Greece. This This is an improvisational song with Eastern
image is a reference to the unqiue sense o f humour o f the •> roots. The singing repetition o f the word ‘aman’
Greek artist, Yiannis Tsarouhis. expresses feelings o f pain and sorrow.

29. A Tsolias on a bicycle rides between
the fires. The fire dancers follow him.
30. The rembetes and festoons descend from the
passarelle stage,
Maleviziotis
5) Zorbas
This is a dance from the island of Crete, This world famous music (and dance) originates
5) from Mikis Theodorakis' Academy Award
Men wearing their knives (an integral element of a Cretan winning score from the film Zorba the Greek,
man's costume) dance to the sound o f the Cretan Lyre directed by Michalis Kakogianis, based on the
and Lute. The first dancer demonstrates his skills by book by Nikos Kazantzakis.
jumping high and beating his feet with his palm, Every
dancer gets the chance to lead and perform his skillful 0
improvised solo,
33. W e witness a refugee procession while George 34. While the song continues, Haris Alexiou (and
Pyrrihios *> Dalaras sings an amane song. soon after her the other singers) join George
This is an ancient war dance from Pondos, performed by Dalaras and sing ‘Mana mou Hellas'. The refugee
men in absolute synchronization. e) carts turn into a long festival table and sorrow
becomes joy again.
Men traditionally danced this dance around a fire before
going off to war, The distinct pounding of the foot on the *)
ground represents grief

1
' ’:>T:
£
.
i>

31. Dancers from Crete, accompanied by a lyre and
a lute, walk and perform maleviziotis around the
spiral.
32. Pyrrihios dancers appear on the passarelle and
form one long line while the harvesters gather *)
the wheat, into bundles.
35. As we hear the characteristic sound o f Zorba,
group of tourists walks on the passarele to take
pictures o f the festival.
36. The entire cast begin dancing to Zorba. They Page 27
form a human spiral; rotating faster and faster
as the tempo builds, Harvesters hold the wheat
bundles up towards the sky. The 5 Olympic
Rings are formed.

* )

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

 ■ )

3, Award Ceremony of Men’s Marathon Race (Duration: oo:07:oo)____ MUSIC 4. Entrance of the Nation Flags (Duration: oo:oi:oo) MUSIC
• Composed by Nikos Touliatos
Synopsis: The bronze, silver and gold medals are presented to the winners o f the Men's Marathon Race. • Music composed by Nikos Antypas. Synopsis: The Flag bearers o f the competing nations enter the stadium.

?)

»)

BACKGROUND NOTES BACKGROUND NOTES

■)
This is the first time a medal ceremony has been included in the closing Team flag bearers
ceremony o f the Games. •> 201 teams and 10,500 athletes have competed across
37 disciplines and 28 sports.
Marathon Race
The Marathon Race first became an Olympic sport in 1896 at the Games revival
in Athens. It was proposed to the International Olympic Committee by the Instruments
Frenchman, M. Breal who had been inspired by the story o f the Athenian The percussion orchestra has been created by making
messenger who had run from the site o f the battle at Marathon with word o f
the Greek victory. It is said that when the messanger arrived in Athens he •> r / musical instruments from equipment taken from
shouted ‘nenikikamen’ (we did defeat) and died shortly afterwards. sports including the following:

The first Marathon Race Olympic medal winner 5) Canoeing

The first winner o f the Marathon Race was Spyros Louis who was bom in 1872.
He was a water seller. His preparation for the race was nothing more than a
Javelin
prayer to the Virgin Mary. •) Equestrian
Relay Race
On Friday, March 29, 1896, Louis, along with sixteen other runners set off from Weightlifting
Marathon. 2 hours, 58 minutes and 50 seconds later, he was the first to cross
■) I. The team flag bearers enter down 2 aisles of the 2. .. .and flow onto and along the passarelle stage. Sailing
I. The medal ceremony party for the Men’s Marathon 2. The medallists are introduced and each is the finishing line in the Panathinaiko Stadium.
stadium (either side of the cauldron)... Cycling
Race enters via Gate 2 and walks to the medal presented with his medal. Medal Gymnastics
presentation podiums. (The flag party enters via These are the last 3 medals to have been presented during the course o f the
Athletics
ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games.
Gate I and sets itself beside the medal flag poles). For the first time since 1928 and the Amsterdam Olympic Games, both sides of Tennis
the medals depict scenes directly reflecting the Greek origin and revivial o f the *> Table Tennis
Games. Hockey
One side o f the medal depicts the statue o f the Nike o f Paeonios inside the Discus
$
Panathinaiko Stadium where the Olympic Games were revived in 1896. Hurdles
Archery
The second side o f the medals is made up o f three elements. The first is the
Eternal Flame. The Flame is framed by the first lines o f Pindar's Eighth Olympic
Kayaking
Ode, which was composed in 460 BC. The design is supplemented with the Boxing
ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games emblem. The sport in which the medal is won Basketball
is also displayed on
Football
This design will now be the set for all subsequent Games. W ater polo

In total 1130 gold, 1130 silver and 1150 bronze medals have been minted.
o Beach volleyball

Olive Wreath
The wreath was the ultimate prize for a victorious athlete competing in the
ancient Olympic Games.

The olive branch is also a global symbol o f peace and freedom.

3. The medallists are presented with flowers
and olive wreaths.
3. Percussionists set on a moving stage play throughout 4. The percussionists (wearing recycled ATHENS
4. The National Anthem o f the Gold medallist’s this sequence. Their ‘instruments’ are salvaged and 2004 products) continue playing as...
country is played as the national flags o f the recycled pieces of sporting equipment. The moving
Page 28 Page 29
three medallists are hoisted. stage travels clockwise from the cauldron stage to the
choir stage.
«>

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque


5. The Athletes of the World
Synopsis: The athletes enter the stadium w ithout distinction o f nationality and congregate on the performance space.
5, An announcement and a pyrotechnics burst
heralds the entrance o f the athletes into the
stadium. They flow into the space via gates I, 2
& 3.
(Duration: Approximately 00:15:00)
6. During this entrance sequence a video depicting
the sporting highlights of the Games of the XXVIII
Olympiad runs on the stadium screens,
•)
MUSIC 6. Official Speeches (Duration: 00:06:35) MUSIC
Music by Nikos Touliatos •> • Fanfare composed by John Psathas
Synopsis: Speeches by the President o f the iO C and the President o f A THENS2004.
Music by Nikko Patrelakis
•)
BACKGROUND NOTES
•> BACKGROUND NOTES
Entrance o f the athletes
Unlike the formal parade in the Opening •> The President, o f the ATHENS 7004 Organising Committee for
Ceremony, this time the athletes enter without the Olympic Games. Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki studied Law at the Aristotelian
distinction o f nationality. They flow into the stadium
•) University o f Thessaloniki. In 1986, she was elected Councillor in
as one; united in the spirit of Olympism.
the Municipality o f Athens. She was twice elected Member o f
Parliament in the Athens first Region Constituency fo r the New
•> Democracy Party in 1989 and 1990.
In 1990, she resigned as a Member o f Parliament after her
-, TT mm marriage to businessman Theodore Angelopoulos. Since then
she has been actively involved in the shipping business and is a
member o f the Athens Bar Association.
/ AT y
•) In 1996 Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, was appointed President
o f the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games Bid Committee and
since May 2000, she has served as President o f the ATHENS
•) . The President of the IOC and the President 2. .. .down the avenue o f flags towards the protocol 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
o f ATHENS 2004 are announced and revealed stage.
walking along the passarelle stage... The President o f the International Olympic Committee. Dr.
lacques Rogge
Jacques Rogge is the eighth IOC President. In the course o f his
■) sporting career, he competed in the yachting competitions at
the Mexico, Munich and Montreal Olympics. He was also a
member o f the Belgian national rugby team.
* He sewed as President o f the Belgian National Olympic
Committee from 1989 to 1992. He became President o f the
European Olympic Committee in 1989, IOC member in 1991
o and Executive Board member in 1998.
IOC Athlete Commission
a The athletes' commission is a consultative body o f the IOC and
a link between the active Olympic athletes and the IOC. It
ensures that the athletes' points o f view are taken into account
o in IOC decisions It ensures respect o f the rights o f the athletes
within the Olympic Movement
•3
During the Olympic Games, the IOC Athletes' Commission is
present in the Olympic Village and is at the athletes’ disposal.
3. The President of ATHENS 2004 delivers a 4. The President o f the IOC delivers a short The Athletes' Commission is composed o f no more than 19
members (8 summer sports athletes, 4 w inter sport athletes
short speech before handing over to the speech. He then introduces four new members and 7 athletes appointed by the IOC President in order to
President o f the IOC. o f the IOC Athlete Commission, ensure a balance between regions, genders and sports).
Page 31
Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque
 7. The Raising of the Greek and Chinese Flags (Duration: oo:03:05)_________
Synopsis: The nation flags o f Greece and China are raised before the (Antwerp) Olympic Flag is presented to the
Mayor o f Beijing and the Games are dosed.
WM
I. The Mayors o f Athens and the Mayor o f Beiiing are
announced.
The Greek flag is hoisted on the stage-left side of
the choir stage to the accompaniment of the Greek
National Anthem performed by a choir dressed in
traditional costumes (soloist: Areti Ketime. vocal and
santuri)
tfg i l ^ ("I ÿy' '
2. The Chinese flag Is hoisted on the stage-right
side o f the choir stage to the accompaniment
of the Chinese National Anthem and a
Chinese choir in ethnic costume,
MUSIC 8. The Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony (Duration: oo:04:20) MUSIC
National Anthem o f Greece - 'Ymnos is tin Eleftherian’ ('Hymn Synopsis: The nation flags o f Greece and China are raised before the (Antwerp) Olympic Flag is presented to the Mayor Greek Traditional music performed by Kozani Brass
To Freedom'), composed by Nikolaos Mantzaros, lyrics by o f Beijing and the Games are dosed. Band.
Dionysios Solomos, arranged by Yorghos Koumendakis,
conducted by Theofanis Soulakellis
National Anthem o f China - 'March o f the Volunteers’ -
composed by Nie Er, lyrics by Tian Han.
Fanfare, composed by John Psathas
BACKGROUND NOTES
(Antwerp) Olympic Flag
BACKGROUND NOTES During the Antwerp Olympic Games in 1920, the
Mayor o f Athens
Olympic Flag was raised for the first time. The flag
Bom in 1954, Dora Bakoyannis was elected the 48th Mayor o f Athens on 20* was thereafter the symbol o f modem Olympism.
October 2002. W ith her victory she broke several records: She is the first woman
chosen to lead Athens in the 3,000 year history o f Europe's oldest capital. She
won by a larger majority - 61% - than any Athens Mayor in the history o f modem
Chaikina Kozanis
Greece. She is the first woman to serve as Mayor o f a city hosting the Olmypic Dimitris Kotsikas founded the Brass Band o f Kozani in
Games 1985 in order to preserve the musical tradition o f the
broader region o f Macedonia.
Wang Qishan is Mayor o f Beijing and Executive President of the Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Games o f the XXIX Olympiad. He has been Vice President Their music has a celebratory quality and is often heard
and President o f the Construction Bank o f China, and Vice Governor of the at weddings and festivals.
People's Bank o f China. He held offices as executive Vice Governor o f Guandong
Province in 1998, Director o f the State Economic Restructuring Office of the State
Council in 2000, Party Secretary o f CPC Heinan Provincial Committee in 2002 Chaikina Kozanis has performed at the Herodeon and
and acting Mayor o f Beijing in 2003. I. The tw o mayors walk down the avenue and uponto 2. The Mayor of Athens presents the flag to the Megaron in Athens as well as the Millennium Dome
the protocol stage through the athletes. The Mayor of the President o f the IOC. in London.
Greek flag
The nine blue and white stripes o f the Greek flag represent the syllables in the Athens carries the (Antwerpi Olympic Flag-).
phrase: 'Eleftheria I Thanatos' (Freedom or Death); the motto o f the fighters Chaikina Kozanis (Brass band of Kozani) follow the Carnes dosed
during the Greek revolution o f 1821. The striped pattern was chosen because o f The Closing o f the Games follows a protocol set down
its evocation of the sea that surrounds the shores o f Greece and that has played mayors playing traditional Greek music
in the Olympic Charter (By-law to rule 69, article 2.5).
such a powerful role in the evolution o f Greek culture and consciousness.
The charter specifies that the following words be used
National Anthem o f Greece to formally bring the Games to an end:
Hymn to Freedom
We knew thee o fo ld From the graves o f our slain
Oh, divinely restored, Shall thy valourprevail a -w ■ 7 dedare the Games o f the X X V III Olym piad dosed
By the lights o f thine eyes As we greet thee again- and in accordance with tradition, I call upon the youth o l
And the light o f thy Sword Hail, Liberty! Hail. the w orld to assemble fo u r years from now in Beijing. "
Areti Ketime
Areti began studying the dulcimer (santouri) when she was just six. Her
collaboration with George Dalaras made her popular at the age o f 12. In 2003 she
released her first CD, "Areti1s Song".
National Anthem of China
March o f the Volunteers
Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves;
With our very flesh and blood
Let us build our new Great Wall!
The Peoples o f China are in the most critical time,
Everybody must roar his defiance.
Arise! Arìse!Arise!
4. ., .and declares the Games closed,
Millions ofhearts with one mind, 3. The president o f the IOC presents the flag to the
Brave the enemy's gunfire, Page 33
March on! Mayor Beijing.,.
Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque
9. Beijing 2008 (D uration: 00:09:05)
Synopsis: The hosts o f the X X iX Olympiad invite the w orld to Beijing.
I. A short video featuring China, Beijing and
preparations for Beijing 2008 runs on the stadium
screens.
3. 14 young women carrying traditional Chinese
musical instruments dance along the avenue
created through the athletes to arrive at the
central stage from where they dance and play
their instruments. A solo dancer performs a ‘
red-streamer' dance.
MUSIC
• Music direction by W u Mimi
BACKGROUND NOTES
Red Streamer Dance
In Chinese traditional culture, whenever
festivals or dignitaries are approaching, homes
are decorated with lanterns and bunting. The
lanterns are red and the bunting is made up of
colourful silk flowers embroidered with long
red streamers.
One of the most famous Chinese traditional
dances, the red streamer dance expresses
festivity and conviviality.
2. 28 stilt walkers carrying lanterns enterthrough
Gates I and 3 and spread themselves
around the track.
4. Dance leader, Huang Doudou along with 8
other dancers perform a classical Chinese Page 34
dance accompanied by Chinese traditional
music.
9. Beijing 2008 (Duration: 00:09:05)
Synopsis: The hosts o f the X X IX Olympiad invite the w orld to Beijing,
5. A group of children take to the centre stage to 6. As the performance on the centre stage reaches
perform Beijing Opera. a climax a young girl is revealed close to the
lantern-shaped stage set in front o f the tribune
area. She carries a red lantern in her hand, From
the lantern-shaped stage she sings 'lasmine'.
A t the conclusion of the segment tw o banners
extend out o f the lantern-shaped stage revealing
a message of welcome.
MUSIC
• Music direction by W u Mimi
BACKGROUND NOTES
Beiiinp Opera
Beijing Opera originated 200 years ago and is
considered China's National opera. Beijing opera is
one o f Beijing's representative cultural arts.
Red lantern
Embroidering colourful lanterns is a centuries old
custom among traditional Chinese families.
Whenever a festival is approaching, colourful
lanterns are embroidered and then lit to represent
and show happiness. The imperial lanterns in the
Chinese palaces were more delicate and ornate. In
this performance the lanters represent the
hospitality Beijing and China extends to the world.
'jasmine'
Jasmine is a Chinese folk song that has gained
worldwide popularity. The Jasmine is a beautiful,
clean and fragrant flower. As the jasmine blook in
Beijing, we welcome our friends from around the
world to our home:
lasmine
W hat a beautifuljasmine, what a beautifuljasmine,
Fragrant and beautiful; blooms on the tree,
Arom atic and dean, everybody admires you
Please le t me pick you, to send to oth er families,
Jasmine
Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque
 10. The Lowering of the Olympic Flag (D uration: ooicms)
Synopsis: The Olympic Flag is lowered and processed o u t o f the stadium.
I. The Olympic Fla^ is lowered as....
--------
3 The flag is passed to eight volunteers who walk
the flag (anti-clockwise) around the stadium...
MUSIC II. Farewell to the Flame (D uration: 00:04:00) MUSIC
• ‘Olympic Anthem' composed by Spyros Samaras, Synopsis: The Olympic flame is extinguished. • ‘Mitera kai Aderti' (‘Mother and Sister’), composed
lyrics by Kostis Palamas, arranged by John Psathas, bv Manos Hatzidakis. arranged bv Nikos Kvpourgos.
• Choir conductor Miftos Logiadis ",. give me hope, give me a wish. May eternal love spread on the earth like a prayer. " - Manos Hatzidakis.
BACKGROUND NOTES
BACKGROUND NOTES
The Olympic Flag
The five interlocking rings are believed to represent the five major Manos Hatzidakis
Manos Hatzidakis is an iconic Greek composer o f modern
regions o f the world; Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and
Greece and is internationally known as the Oscar winning
Oceania.
composer o f the soundtrack fo r the film ’Never on a Sunday1.
The music o f Manos Hatzidakis, a jewel fo r the Greeks was
Every flag in the world features at least one o f the five colours that
heard during the opening journey o f the paper boat in the
make up the Olympic emblem.
Opening Ceremony.
The flag bearing the Olympic rings was first introduced during the
Child
1920 Antwerp Olympics Games.
The child's name is Fotini Papaleonidopoulou and she lives in
one o f Greece's SOS Villages from O ctober 2001. She is 10
The Olympic Anthem
years old.
The music fo r the Olympic Anthem was composed by Spyros
Samaras (1861-1917). Kostis Palamas (1859-1943) added the words.
SOS Children's Villages provides long-term care fo r children
2. .. .a choir sings the Olympic Anthem. w ho have no-one else, as well as wide-ranging support fo r local
The Olympic Anthem was first played at the 1896 Olympic Games
communities in 131 countries.
in Athens but wasn't declared the official anthem by the IOC until
1957. It was first incorporated at the Rome Olympics in I960. I. The cauldron is lowered. 2. An athlete and a child is revealed standing at the
top o f the cauldron staircase. The child holds a www.sos-vi Ilages.gr
TheOlympic Anthem lantern in the shape o f a seed.
A ncient Im m ortal spirit, o f antiquity,
The Olympic Flame
The flame first appeared in the modem Olympics in the 1929
Father o f the true, beautiful and good,
Amsterdam Olympic Games.
Descend, appear, shed over us thy light
Upon this ground and under this sky
In 1936 the chairman o f the organizing committee fo r the 1936
W hich has firs t witnessed thy imperishable fame.
Olympic Games, Carl Diem, proposed what is now the
Give life and anim ation to those nobie games!
modem Olympic torch Relay.
Throw wreaths o f fadeless flow ers to the victors
in the race and in strife!
A parabolic mirror is used to capture the heat of the sun and
Create in o u r breasts, hearts o f steel!
light the Olympic Torch at the ancient site o f Olympia. The
Shine in a roseate hue and form a vast temple
torch is then passed from runner to runner from Olympia to
To which a ll nations throng to adore thee,
the Olympic Stadium o f the host city.
Oh im m ortal sp irit o f antiquity
The cauldron was lit in the Olympic stadium by Nikos
The volunteers carp/the Olympic Flag
Kaklamanakis on the I3,h August
The names o f all volunteers were placed in a lottery and the 8
names were drawn. W ith this symbolic act, ATHENS 2004
The Cauldron
highlights the value o f volunteers to the realization o f the Games.
The Cauldron, designed by Santiago Calatrava is 31m metres
4. .. .and out via gate 2. long and 4.7 metres in circumference.
3. The athlete lights the child’s lantern from the
4, The child and athlete descend the cauldron Page 37
Olympic flame.
staircase...
Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque
II. Farewell to the Flame (Duration: 00:04:00) MUSIC
II. Farewell to the Flame (Duration: 00:04:00) MUSIC
Synopsis: The Olympic flame is extinguished. Synopsis: The Olympic flame is extinguished. • 'Mitera kai Aderti’ (Mother and Sister’),
• 'Mitera kai Aderti1('Mother and Sister’),
composed by Manos Hatzidakis, arranged by composed by Manos Hatzidakis, arranged by
. .give me hope, give me a wish. May eternal love spread on the earth like a prayer. " - Manos Hatzidakis. Nikos Kypourgos,
Nikos Kypourgos. “.. .give me hope, give me a wish. May eternal love spread on the earth like a prayer, " - Manos Hatzidakis.

BACKGROUND NOTES BACKGROUND NOTES

The lipht continues to flow...

During the Greek Orthodox Easter, the
resurrection is symbolized by the light of the
priest's candle, regarded as the 'holy light' being
passed and shared between the congregation.
This action is an expression of love, unity and hope.

Hearts
The Opening Ceremony on the 13 August featured
a recurring heartbeat theme. As we extinguish the
t i i 1 flame we keep its light in our hearts.

5. Children light their own lanterns with the light 6. The light is in turn ‘passed' to the athletes who 9. The child turns back towards the cauldron and
taken from cauldron flame. light their own pendant lights which are worn ‘blows out1the remaining flame.
over their hearts.

7 The light continues to flow outwards: ‘transmitted’ 8. As the stadium audience complete the picture, The
to the audience who activate their own pendants cauldron returns to its vertical position; the flame
over their hearts. diminishing as it travels.

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

 £

12, Concert (Duration: 00:43:37)

MUSIC
£

Synopsis: The Ceremony is brought to a dose with a performance by an ensemble o f popular Greek singers. %

ü
The following Greek singers who make up the ensemble perform together tonight for the first time.

Dionyssis Sawopoulos
BACKGROUND NOTES Dionyssis Sawopoulos is a unique, idiosyncratic and inventive artist whose remarkable blend of lyricism and satire often reveals a remarkable and blunt insight into contemporary
É
Greek life.
Balloons

% During the concert more that 150.000 balloons will be

released in the Stadium. In addition:
70.000 have been placed in the audience kits, while
10.000 have been distributed to the athletes.
Particularly popular amongst students, dreamers and romantics, Sawopolos was one o f the first artists to adapt and reinvent folk rhythms and melodies by blending them with
contemporary music.

The party atmosphere is also highlighted with the use Eleftheria An/anftaki
of 400 kilograms of confetti, With performing roots in rebetiko, Eleftheria Aravanitaki has spent many years exploring contemporary Greek music and song. Along the way she has participated in many
#
fruitful and inspiring collaborations with numerous Mediterranean artists, and developed new rhythms and melodies that express her own unique persona.

Michalis Chatzigiannis
Michalis is one of the youngest and most beloved contemporary singers and composers of pop music in Greece. His art combines lyricism, sensitivity and originality. He was bom
from Cyprus.

. A turning luminous line is lit on the central stage. I. ... and the concert begins! <? Anna Vissi
The Concert ensemble is revealed on this line. Anna is the ‘Queen’ o f Greek pop music. Through her performances she constantly seeks new ways to communicate with her audiences and in the process has earned herself a
reputation as a talented innovator. She originates from Cyprus.
e
Alkistis Protopsalti
<■ Since the early 1980s Alkistis has built a reputation as a dynamic artist. Her performances are marked by her explosive energy and beautiful voice. She is also a major influence in
contemporary Greek song,

Sakis Rouvas
The shining Greek popstar o f the moment who combines movement, theatricality and song with a charismatic and disarming charm. Sakis represented Greece in the 2004
% P
Eurovision Song Contest, winning third place.
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Adonis Remos
Adonis is a young popular singer known for his Intense performance of love songs. His repertoire feature ballads and pop songs as well as popular music.
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3, 70 kites - featuring images produced by famous

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4. 100,000 blue, white and silver balloons will be
Greek artists such as Theophilos, Dimitris Mytaras, released over the heads o f the audience.
Alekos Fassianos, Loretta Gatti Charrat, Gianis Tsarouhis Page 40

& Alexis Kirittsopoulos - will be introduced into the action.

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

Song I - ‘Aeroplana & Vaporia' (?) performed bv the ensemble. Song 12 - 'Eisai' performed by Anna Vissi
Composed by Dionyssis Sawopoulos, Composition and lyrics by Nikos Karvelas

Song 2 - ‘Dvnata - Dvnata’ performed by the ensemble (with pyrotechnics) Song 14 - ‘Già sena' performed bv Michalis Chatzigiannis
Composed by Ara Dinkjian, lyrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou Composed by Michalis Chatzigiannis, lyrics by Eleana Vrahali

Song 3 - 'Thallassographia performed bv ensemble, (with pyrotechnics) Song 15 - ‘Mavri Thalassa' performed by Dionyssis Savopoulos
Composed by Dionyssis Sawopoulos Composition and lyrics by Dionyssis Savopoulos

Song 4 - 'Karagkoz' performed bv ensemble. Song 16 - 'An thymisis t'oneiro mou' performed bv Anna Vissi
Composed by Dionyssis Sawopoulos Composed by Mikis Theodorakis, lyrics by Nikos Gatsos

Song 5 - ‘Missirlou' performed by Anna Vissi (This song has been recorded in English as xxxxxx, by the Beatles)
Composed by Nikolaos Roumbanis
Song 17- Ta paidia tou Peiraia' performed by Alkistis Protopsalti
(This famous traditional Greek song is featured as the main theme to Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction’) Composition and lyrics by Manos Hatzidakis

Song 6 - 'Rote'. performed by Michalis Chatzigiannis (This song is taken from the world famous soundtrack from the film ‘Never on Sunday').
Composed by Manos Chiotis
Song 18 - 'Athina' - performed by the ensemble.
Song 7 - 'Ta pio orala laika' performed by Alkistis Protopsalti Composition and lyrics by Manos Hatzidakis
Composed by Stamatis Kraounakis, Iryrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou
(A song capturing the spirit o f Athens in the 1960s).

Song 8 - T i lipi. ti ftaii’ performed bv Eleftheria Arvanitaki Song 19 - 'As kratisoun oi choroi' performed bv the ensemble.
Composed by Nikos Portokaloglou Composition and lyrics by Dionyssis Savopoulos

(This song features a combination of electric guitar and the traditional Cretan instrument, the Lyra) (We conclude the Ceremony with the same song that opened it).

Song 9 - ‘Karampiperim’ performed bv Sakis Rouvas, Dionyssis Savopoulos & Adonis Remos
Composed by Yannis Papaioannou

(Sakis Rouvas is the famous Greek pop singer who made such a strong impression in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest)

Song 10 - ‘Na 'tan I chara oikopedo' performed bv Alkistis Protopsalti Page 43

Traditional, Lyrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou

Song II - 'Mandoubala' performed bv Adonis Remos

Composition and lyrics by Stelios Kazantzidis

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque
www.athens2004.com

Source : Centre d'études olympiques - bibliothèque