OPENING CEREMONIES MARK OPENING OF SUMMER INVICTUS GAMESDignitaries from around the world descended on Spálgleann for the spectacular opening ceremonies Nessie MacRae (@nessiegbf)
3 August 2018 | Spálgleann, Glytter
Spálgleann's Millennial Stadium was illuminated by a festival of lights and fireworks as the open ceremonies were underway.
SPÁLGLEANN – The 2018 Summer Invictus Games are underway.
His Majesty King Kenneth IV declared the Spálgleann' Games open as the Invictus cauldron was lit.
Overall the ceremony was a reflection of both Glytteronian history and culture. The games' organizers placed a special emphasis on Glytter's contribution to pop culture, with performances from and homages to some of the biggest names in Glytteronian music. A special duet was sung by Ashling and the Duchess. The two performers put a modern twist on Ashling's hit
Sétanta, mashing it up with the Duchess'
Alexandre. Ashling, the turned four-term Social Democratic TC and former Minister of Culture, performed publicly for the first time she she retired over six years ago.
Other performances saw HRH the Duke of Bulfawst's group,
No Direction, as well as Annie MacDouglas, Tenic Women, and Me2. The organizers wanted to "reflect the greatness of Glytter's contribution to the modern music industry", according to a spokesperson. A number of other celebrities and well-known media personalities took part. However, the ceremony was also ripe with Glytteronian cultural traditions. The story told was that of Glytter's long history, drawing on the country's thousandth year as its current iteration - the Kingdom of Glytter. It began with the unification of the islands under Daireann I, which was followed by a crash-course of Glytteronian history.
Over five-thousand people volunteered to help make the opening ceremonies a reality.
The Invictus Torch was escorted down the Royal Mile by the Royal Regiment of Spálgleann and the pipe-band of the Royal Glyt Dragoon Guards, starting at Clochnach Fortress before arriving at Carrowdun Palace. From Carrowdun, it was driven through the city by HRH the Prince Elton, known for his stint as a race-car driver, in Porsche 911 GT3 before being transferred to Lizzie O'Lee, Glytter's great marathon runner, and a group of student runners from around the country. It then arrived at Millennium Stadium in Spálgleann's Garment District neighborhood, once the epicenter of the Glytteronian textile industry.
It was a spectacular affair and, once it had finished, it was time for the King to declare the games open.
"I declare open the games of Spálgleann, celebrating the thirtieth such games in the modern era" The King said as a mix of trumpets and bagpipes, a homage to Ghaillish culture, blared before the cauldron was lit. Fireworks and lights filled the stadium marking the official declaration, accompanied by applause and cheers from those in attendance.
For his part, the King also partook in the opening ceremonies. In a tribute to the victims of the 23 August Attacks of 2016, His Majesty led relatives of the victims to the center of the stadium, where 87 wreathes were laid in honor of each victim. Pipe-bands from around the country, including all branches of the Glytteronian Armed Forced and the Spálgleann division of the Royal Police Force, played
Amazing Grace as the once-shining stadium went dark. It was followed by a flyover of the Royal Glytteronian Air Force.
It was after this tribute that the torch entered the stadium. A chorus of children from around the country sang
Isles of Wonder as the torch arrived at the cauldron.
With the opening ceremonies finished, the 2018 Invictus Games are well underway. They will run until 18 August. The closing ceremonies will take place on 19 August.
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