International Horticultural Exposition in Kunming
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By Charles Conte The China '99 Kunming International Horticultural Exposition (Expo '99) opened with two events, both to the sound of large Meyer systems: the grand opening gala on the evening of April 30th in the 30,000-seat Tuodong Stadium in Kunming (capital of Yunnan Province), and on the day after at the official opening ceremony. The sound system for the gala was supplied by "Bei Ao Stage Art Engineering Division" and designed by Jolly ProAudio Broadcast Engineering Co. (Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong). The opening ceremony system was designed, installed, and supplied by Jolly ProAudio. Sixty-nine countries and regions, and 26 international organizations are participating in Expo '99, and 34 have built permanent exhibit gardens of their own. In the keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Li Jiating, vice-chairman of the organizing committee and governor of Yunnan Province, stressed that the symbolic importance of the Expo in promoting, "a better future" and "a more beautiful home for all of us... for peaceful co-existence, harmony between man and nature, and a better handling of the relationship among population, resources and the environment." The Meyer system for the gala opening in the new Tuodong Stadium featured 28 MSL-3's and eight CQ-2's in support of a 50-minute performance, entitled "The Romance of Heaven and Earth," highlighting Expo '99's theme of "Man and Nature." 6,580 performers took part in the show, a spectacular mixture of music, dance, traditional opera, acrobatics, and high-tech stage effects. The gala's climax featured exotic dances from the province's ethnic minorities, music, flaring fountains, and a flamboyant fireworks display. The Meyer system for the opening ceremonies on May 1st was based around 10 MSL-4's, four 650-P's, two UPA-1 delay speakers, and two UM-100P foldback speakers. Chinese President Jiang Zemin attended the ceremony and declared the expo open, and Vice-Premier Li Lanqing, also chairman of the Organizing Committee of Expo '99, attended the event. Distinguished guests included Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, Israeli President Ezer Weizman and his wife Reuma Weizman, Zimbabwean President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Djiboutian Prime Minister Barkat Gourad Hamadou and Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. Equipment Used at Expo '99 Opening Ceremony of the Expo Garden on May 1, 1999 System designed, installed, and supplied and by Jolly ProAudio Broadcast Engineering Co. SoundTracs Topaz 32channel mixing console May, 1999 |
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