The cauldron is lit by Chinese Athletics athlete Hou Bin. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Summary of the Opening Ceremony

(BEIJING, September 6) -- Beijing welcomed the world to the 2008 Paralympic Games on September 6 with an Opening Ceremony that began at 8:00 p.m. at the Bird's Nest. In front of a full house, performers gave heartwarming presentations, fully illustrating the Paralympic theme of "Transcendence, Equality and Integration."

420 actors with disabilities participated in the hour-long Opening Ceremony, titled "Flying with the Dream." The show, which focused on the "harmony between man and nature," included three chapters, or "journeys," through space, time, and life, respectively.

The sunbird in the "Journey of Space" (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Referring to the concept of "sky, earth and human beings," the first Opening Ceremony performance, launching the "Journey of Space," began quietly, with a sunbird descending on a solitary man sleeping in the meadow below, an image formed on the floor of the National Stadium. Awakened by the presence of the sunbird, a typical symbol of Chinese culture, the man, who is visually impaired, began to sing the tales of his heart.

Journey of Time (Photo credit: Xinhua)

This peaceful expression is emphasized by a trumpet solo and hundreds of girls who used sign language to give shape to their emotions.

Following that scene, to depict the "Journey of Time," ballerinas took the stage, with one young girl sitting in a wheelchair directly under the spotlight. This brave eleven-year-old had big dreams of becoming a ballet dancer before her life was shaken by the devastating earthquake that struck southwest China in May. She lost her left leg, but not her spirit, enduring much pain and suffering to continue to pursue her dancing dream.

Journey of Life (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Next came vivid images of natural scenery, accompanied by beautiful melodies played by a pianist who is visually impaired.

Of course, Fu Niu Lele, the 2008 Paralympic Games mascot, made an appearance, thanks to 2,000 youngsters who danced on stage to portray the "Journey of Life." The dancers also imitated the movements and sounds of frogs, seagulls and ducks.

The artistry didn't end there, as performers continued to express the importance of harmonious living, with abstract representations of Earth.

After Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China, declared the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games open, torchbearers emerged to relay the flame. To reach and ignite the final torch in the National Stadium, Chinese Paralympian Hou Bin, sitting in a wheelchair, showcased strength and grace by pulling himself up through the air with a rope. Perhaps more than anything else, the determined look on his face exemplifies the spirit of the Paralympic Games.