2011 SU Update: Behind the Painted Masks

SHENZHEN – On Friday night, the citizens of Shenzhen did their city and nation proud. The opening ceremony for the 26^th Summer Universiade was an unprecedented success and it can be said without a doubt that this was mainly due to the enthusiastic Chinese youth that took part in the ceremony. Over 10 thousand volunteers and performers in various costumes and parts of the stadium made sure that everything ran as smoothly as the Chinese have taught us to expect. Their smiles, eagerness and all-around grace were infectious and seemed to come as naturally to them as organization skills do.

While this is the picture that goes out into the world, and it is one that will linger in our minds,  at least until the city of Kazan has its say in 2013, the scenes a couple of hours before the opening ceremony were just as riveting.

Endless rows of young Chinese women could be seen throughout the halls of the stadium’s interior. Some were already in costume, prepping for their moment in front of the crowds, others were busy painting on their eyebrows and smiles, and few, probably those scheduled for late into the show were reading, napping or having a quick meal. While not a single had a long face and or refused to be photographed, the general feel was more cramped and thrown together rather than excited for the big show.  The moments when they were the most animated (apart from on the stage, one would guess) were while asking to take pictures with us, members of the Young Reporters’ Program. It was easy to be swept away by their enthusiasm and squeals and be transported to a world of pop stars, paparazzi and signing autographs. However, while we were the ones feeling like stars, it was them that looked in need of a proper dressing room, rather than a hallway converted into one.

For all the work the Chinese have put into making the delegations and journalists feel like royalty, it seems that they could have given themselves a little more room to breathe, or at least better rooms to do the breathing in. While this is not something that is easily ignored, it is a clear case of culture shock and intercontinental differences.  Through this opening ceremony, and through Beijing 2008 and 2001,Chinahas shown us how important tradition is to them. Who are we to try and change any aspect of it.

(Source: Sonja Nikcevic, FISU Young Reporter)