Spellbinding, Sochi-Style

I've never tried to make secret my general disinterest in sports.

The World Cup?  Only the vuvuzelas got my attention back in 2010.

Recent Blackhawks victories?  Good for them, but whatever.

Cubs or Sox fan?  I'm officially neither.

What was I doing while the SuperBowl was on February 2?  Avoiding it, which is my favorite annual custom, since I see American football as a lot of malarkey.  But I don't always go out of my way to avoid it.  This year it was easy because I was in Atlanta for a conference.  (However, I sometimes make a point to watch the US National Anthem, but that's it.)

But then there's one sporting event that I make it my business to watch.  In fact, in 2006 and 2010, it all started the Friday night after the SuperBowl.  You guessed it: the Olympic Games.

I perceive the Olympics as being more than just sports.  It seeks to draw out of people, namely the athletes, the highest character qualities, the richness of the host country's culture, and brings the world together like nothing else does.  There's a higher purpose being accomplished in the Olympic games, as it speaks to what it means to be human.

But my favorite part isn't necessarily the competitions themselves--it's the Opening Ceremony.  It's always so cool to see the artistic show the host country puts on to share before the world its history and culture in a stylish manner.  There's always some kind of epic quality to it.  (I sensed this especially in the music at the London Olympics Opening Ceremony.  And I'm still listening to the Isles of Wonder soundtrack on the CD I bought of it.)

So I was before my TV last night watching the ceremony, starting at that auspicious time of 20:14 locally there in Sochi, on the 7th of February, 2014.

The one thing that always gets me geared up is the opening montage at the beginning of NBC's coverage, which is certainly epic.  This one spoke about the vastness of Russia, bringing together East and West, in a mystifying, grand way.

I really liked the very first part of the Opening Ceremony, with the display of Russian things according to the Cyrillic alphabet.  Not having any familiarity with the system, or many of the things shown, I could appreciate it as something specially Russian.

And I couldn't help but be struck by the mystical, hauntingly beautiful music that came next, accompanying Lyubov, representing the Feminine Soul of Russia, as she lifted up in to the air and passed dreamily among the islands.  I only wish I knew what the name of that music was that was playing.  I'm so drawn by it, I almost want it stuck in my head.

The National Anthem of Russia was a piece that reflected well a strong sense of nationalism, which I sensed in both the tune and glancing over the lyrics, which speak to Russian pride.  There was also a sort of hardiness to the sound of the men's choir singing the song.  I noticed that same kind of hardiness in the Russian announcer's voice, befitting of a people who had to have a sense of toughness to survive in such a land as big, cold, and faraway as Russia.  But when Liza Temnikova, playing Lyubov, sang, she had such a beautiful, gentle touch to her voice.

At first, I was surprised that the ceremony jumped right into the Parade of Nations.  But then I realized it would give the athletes a chance to view the show that came later on, instead of putting most of the show right away, as tends to happen.

I liked the cool effect of the map of each country displayed on the stadium floor as each athletic delegation came out.  But it did seem like there could be some coordination issues as one country marched toward the end of the ramp, while another one emerged.  I also enjoyed the music, which was kind of retro--well maybe not, but music isn't my expertise, so I just think of it as "retro".

I enjoyed the artistic display of Russian history, through the Medieval, Imperial, and Communist Eras.  It was especially effective for the Communist Era, as symbols seem to work better to represent that time, rather representing something more physical.  I couldn't help but notice how Peter the Great had on what looked like some very Western European-style clothes.  And what could be more Russian than that ballet number?

And as the two athletes ran out of the stadium to light the cauldron, I took note of the music playing as something I had heard before.  After first thinking of "Pines of Rome", I realized it was another piece featured in Disney's Fantasia 2000: the "Firebird Suite", a classically Russian piece by Igor Stravinsky, sounding a triumphal tune as the fire traveled to the top.  (And hearing that fast-paced dance from The Nutcracker got me all jazzed up, too.)

Beyond the actual program, some of the commercials were good. I especially liked the Coca-Cola one, in which the lyrics of "America, the Beautiful" were in a variety of languages.  Except for one brief part that seemed a bit lewd, it was a wonderful commercial.  (When I found it on YouTube, I discovered it was a Super Bowl commercial as well.)  And I liked the voiceover audio of Amelia Earhart in the VISA commercial.

While it's true that all of this could be construed as just a show, it's something I find enjoyable, and epic.

So here's to Sochi and Russia for putting on a fabulous show to open the 22nd Winter Olympic Games, and all the best to the athletes as they engage in spirited competition that truly speaks to the human experience.