TV Guide
Friday, Feb 6
8:00 pm eastern

Opening Ceremonies from Nagano, Japan

With traditional speeches of welcome and friendship, the majestic parade of 
athletes and the dramatic lighting of the torch, there's plenty to make 
Olympic opening ceremonies stand apart from the pageantry of other sporting 
events. But they are also memorable because of the local color provided by 
the host country. Robert Fishman, who is directing CBS's coverage of 
tonight's festivities, says Nagano's celebration "combines a true sense of 
Japanese tradition with the 21st century, in terms of electronics." Among 
the expected highlights are a ritual performed by sumo wrestlers to drive 
evil spirits away from Olympic Ceremonies Stadium; a costumed performance 
by local "snowchildren"; and a partial reenactment of a religious festival 
caled Onbashira-tate, in which immense wooden pillars are raised to an 
upright position.

Following the sound of a bell at Zenkoji Temple that signifies the opening 
of the Games, the hosts' technological acumen is tested as church and temple 
bells worldwide are linked by satellite and displayed on huge screens at the 
stadium. Then, in "something amazing to watch for," according to Fishman, 
a "dream orchestra" of international musicians conducted by Seiji Ozawa at 
Nagano Cultural Hall will be joined by a 2000-member chorus at the stadium, 
and by choral groups from five continents, also hooked up by satellite and 
singing in unison. (Live)