300 dancers, speaking scene, augmented reality: Kazan is preparing for the opening of the WorldSkills Kazan 2019

(KZN.RU, August 9, Alina Berezhnaya). In Kazan, preparations for the WorldSkills Championship Kazan 2019 came to the finish line. On August 22, the capital of Tatarstan will receive more than 1300 contestants from 63 countries of the world who will show their professionalism in 56 competencies. The championship will be remembered for its grand opening ceremony, where spectators can become participants in a theatrical performance using high technology. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, inspected the course of preparation for the championship. He assessed the readiness of the stadium “Kazan Arena” to hold an exciting show and talked with artists who will perform at the opening ceremony.

The decoration of the stadium began in June. About 600 workers do not stop working despite the weather conditions. They mount scenes, fix sound and video projection equipment.

The opening ceremony of the upcoming championship promises to be as spectacular as possible. The director of the show was Aleksey Sechenov, a member of the Academy of Russian Television, an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts, who has a vast experience in creating large-scale performances. In particular, he worked on the show for the XXVII World Summer Universiade, VII Asian Winter Olympics, XVI FINA World Championships, and others.

During the inspection of the Kazan Arena, Alexey Sechenov told Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, that two latest technologies will be used at the opening ceremony. One of them is high-tech scenery. “We invited 5 VR artists who will create voluminous scenery online, right in front of the audience”, explained A. Sechenov.

Another uniqueness of the ceremony will be the technology of augmented reality. Viewers using a special mobile application will see virtual objects that will become part of reality.

The central object of the show will be a gigantic scene opened in the process of colorful performance. The director did not describe all its functionality, but intrigued: “This is a very “smart” thing, it changes, transforms. On August 22, we will see it even talking”, said A. Sechenov.

High technologies will also be used in the plot of theatrical performance. It will tell about people reaching excellence. The organizers keep all the details a secret, but it is known that the audience will become part of the show. “In the modern world, it is important to involve the viewer in the show. For the first time, we set ourselves the goal of making the viewer the character in a play that will influence its finale”, explained the director of the show. Using special devices, each guest of the ceremony will answer an important philosophical question regarding the development of the modern world.

The history of the formation of professionals will be told through the language of dance. Since July 15, 300 best dancers of Kazan’s choreographic ensembles under the direction of choreographer-director Zhanna Shmakova have been practicing for six hours a day. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, assessed the excerpt from the production. He noted the importance of the upcoming championship. Among the artists, there are those who have repeatedly performed at world-class events: the Universiade in 2013, the FINA Championship, and the World Cup. “I am very pleased to see familiar faces, those with whom we have already held more than one major event together. We are all ready to do best”, I. Metshin addressed the children. He expressed hope that this championship will not be the last world event for Kazan. “The whole world, all five continents come to us again. Let it not be the last worldwide event that takes place in the city. It is a great hope that we will come up with something else so that Kazan will be discussed again”, said Ilsur Metshin.

Dance episodes will follow each other. In one production, about 100 artists are involved. Young people will show six working professions in dance. The choreography, according to the dancers, is interesting, with complex, but at the same time unusual movements of modern and folk dance. This is a synthesis of several directions. “We are overwhelmed with emotions, we carry a story with us. I want to show the significance of this championship through the dance. It will be grandiose, it’s better to come and see everything for yourself”, Tatiana Miftakhova, an Honored Artist of the RT, soloist of the dance ensemble “Kazan”, shared her impressions.

In addition to dancers, pop stars Elka, Alexander Panayotov, Jukebox trio, Yang Ge, Dana Sokolova rock band, and others will participate in the opening of the championship as well as the robot Sofia, the only android in the world that received citizenship and a passport.

Rehearsals at the Kazan Arena will begin on August 12. Artists are not worried about the performance, they say that they can’t wait to enter the big stage.

Ilsur Metshin noted that the championship will go down in history thanks to people who have made an invaluable contribution to its holding. “We timidly started with the opening ceremony of the Universiade in 2013. Today, we have grown to the point that we are conducting the opening ceremony of WorldSkills Kazan 2019 completely with the efforts of Tatarstan. This is a great joy and honor”, said I. Metshin. “Each international event leaves a legacy in infrastructure, but the main legacy is our people. Thanks to the events held earlier, they have grown and are the best not only in the creative sphere, but also in matters of transport, service, and volunteering. They are in demand also outside our country”.

The head of the city added that Kazan is ready for the championship. “We are working with a team of like-minded people. A lot of hard organizational work is approaching its final stage, and we are almost ready”, said I. Metshin.

WorldSkills Kazan 2019 will be held in the capital of Tatarstan from 22 to 27 of August. The main site for the competition will be the international exhibition center “Kazan Expo”. Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies at the stadium “Kazan Arena” can be purchased on the website.