43rd International Children’s Games opening ceremony

The 43rd International Children's Games opening ceremony was successfully held yesterday. More than 7,000 people of all ages filled the Panathenian Stadium in order to view the Games opening ceremony, fully supporting a unique sporting and cultural event organized by the City of Athens.

The wonderful evening was organised by award-winning choreographer and stage director Sophia Spyratou, who created a harmonious blend of dance, theatre and music, promoting the values of peace, solidarity and fair play.

Meanwhile, the City of Athens Music Ensembles, under the supervision of Yiorgos Katsaros, and the voices of the Dimitris Typaldos and Spyros Lambrou children's choirs welcomed the 2,000 children who paraded through the stadium.

Alexis Kostalas and Ada Livitsanou successfully presented the ceremony, each of whom brought the public and athletes closer together with their own personal style.

Representatives of the political, sporting and arts worlds attended the ceremony. Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Tourism Minister Kostas Markopoulos, Sports General Secretary Stavros Douvis, International Children's Games Committee Deputy Chairman Johnny Kyriakopoulos, Athens 2004 Olympic gold medallist Sophia Bekatorou and international basketball referee Lazaros Voreadis were among those in attendance. Many ambassadors and diplomatic mission staff from around the world also attended together with their families.

Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCO) chairman Katerina Katsampe, ATEDCO chief executive Panagiotis Arkoumaneas and City of Athens Youth and Sport Organisation chairman Vassilis Kikilias represented the event's organizers.

Additionally, Sophia Sakorafa, Kostas Patavoukas, Anna Fonsou and Periklis Vassilakis were also in the stands, while actors Maria Tzobanaki, Alexandros Bourdoumis and Periklis Kasandrinos represented the arts world.

In his address Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis welcomed the 2,000 children who are in Athens, emphasizing the message of peace and hope they carry with them:

"For us, the International Children's Games are more than just an opportunity for a major sporting celebration. By inviting young athletes from every continent to participate in the International Children's Games, which are based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and friendship, this event symbolizes our hope for the future in the most substantial manner. A future with greater cooperation and understanding. A future in which everyone has a place and a role. A future where the similarities of all are more important than their differences. A better, more optimistic future. And this is why we are proud that Athens is hosting this event".

International Children's Games committee chairman Torsten Rasch thanked Athens for its hospitality and declared the start of the Games in the city which gave birth to Olympic ideals and values.