SPORT 

Oran adorned with Mediterranean colors in festive ceremony

ORAN- The opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games, held in Oran ad from Saturday evening, kept all its promises in the city's new stadium, during which the history of Algeria and its value in the Mediterranean was highlighted through several musical and artistic performances.

President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune kicked off this 19th edition, in the presence of distinguished personalities, notably Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, this edition's guest of honor.

The opening ceremony was a complete artistic work with all the expressive elements in terms of scenario, choreography, staging and scenography as well as advanced technology.

A symphonic orchestra, made up of about one hundred musicians, performed at the opening ceremony of these games.

The artistic show of the opening ceremony comprised twenty scenes with the participation of 800 people, including artists, dancers, image and lighting technicians.

The scenario shed light on many facets of Algerian culture, notably that of Oran, the impact of Algerian culture in the Mediterranean basin as well as the contribution of the Algerian personalities to human civilization in the Mediterranean basin.

As per the tradition of the Mediterranean Games, the Greek delegation was the first to enter the stadium track, followed by delegations from Albania, Andorra, Spain and Italy, the largest delegation participating in Oran's event with 371 athletes.

Under the applause and songs of the spectators present in the stadium, the participating delegations continued to tread on the athletic track of the stadium one after the other.

The Algerian delegation was welcomed with joy in the stands where the crowds, made up of young people and families, waved the national flag and chanted the famous slogan "One Two Three Viva l'Algerie."

In their speeches, the commissioner of the Mediterranean Games Aziz Derouaz and President of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games Davide Tizzano underlined the efforts made by the Algerian State for the success of this 19th edition.

The word was given then to President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune who officially kicked off the 19th Mediterranean Games of Oran.

The closing of the ceremony was marked by a musical piece performed by an orchestra led by maestro Salim Dada.

These 19th Mediterranean Games will see the participation of 3,390 athletes from 26 countries, including from 18 Europe, five from Africa and three from Asia.