Astana-Arena ultra-modern stadium prepares enchanting show of Aziada-2011 opening ceremony - Director of sports complex V. Bobrovsky
relay should become one of the most colorful events at the Games.
The relay will start at the headquarters of the Olympic Council of Asia in Kuwait on January 11, 2011. On January 12 the flame will be delivered to Kazakhstan and then to Almaty to travel to the regions from there. The Aziada Torch will go to all regional centers in 20 day span of time and on January 30 it is to be brought to Astana for the opening ceremony of the Asian games at the Astana-Arena stadium.
Astana will receive 5 thousand accredited participants of the Games including 1400 sportsmen. Around 1000 journalists will cover the event. The visit of the heads of Asian countries is expected as well as the visit of President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge.
Head of the Astana-Arena complex, director of the opening ceremony of the Games Vladimir Bobrovsky told Kazinform National Agency about the opening ceremony.
Mr. Bobrovsky this is the first time the stadium will receive such an event. Could you tell us about the facility and why such a great honor is given to this very arena to open the Asian Games?
The Astana-Arena stadium is one of five European stadiums of so high class. It has sliding roof, excellent field of Italian grass cover, infrastructure of all facilities required for holding any sports event or a concert. This arena is the sixth one in the world with sliding roof that can be fully closed or opened in 20 minutes. This is the best stadium in the territory of our country and Central Asia. Our arena is absolutely ready for holding an opening ceremony of the Games and receiving eminent guests at the highest level. People are free to come here and see this masterpiece themselves.
As is known the heads of foreign countries and delegations are to come to the Aziada. Will you face any problems to seat all guests?
No, we will not face any problems. The Astana-Arena stadium is designed namely for such events. We have all arranged, VIP zone and all facilities needed. At the moment nothing is known about seating the official guests. The point is that we still receive the applications from participating countries. Accordingly when we have all the information about the participants we will arrange the seats for the guests.
The opening ceremony is one of the most colorful events at the Games. What should we expect from it? Can we have a glimpse through the veil?
The international staging group led by Igor Krutoi is responsible for the arrangements of the ceremony. Whereas Kazakhstan has no experience of holding such a great even, an international group represented by Russian, English and Australian specialists will arrange the ceremony. I cannot tell you the details but it is going to be a show based on the history of Kazakhstan. In August we start decorating the stadium for the ceremony. Now we do calculations so the decorations and all kinds of different loads will meet the stadium characteristics.
The Games will be held in winter. Does it cause any difficulties during the ceremony?
The stadium has its own autonomous boiler that will help maintain the needed temperature. The inside temperature will be 10-12 degrees at the moment of the ceremony.
The field will be covered with special plastic material where the stage is to be set and the Olympic Torch stele. Lightening the fire will happen at the opening ceremony of the winter Aziada. The skating ring will be constructed next to the stadium.
The Astana-Arena stadium is the only facility which is ready so far. How the arena is involved in everyday life of the city now?
We held a concert at the Day of the City here. It gave us great experience in arranging such events. It was new for us organizing an event with 20 thousand people participating in it. Besides, Kazakhstan soccer championship qualifiers are to be held in the arena and the Akimat planned to hold the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Constitution. The stadium is fully involved in the life of the city.
Thank you very much for the interview!