Passing of the Flame Ceremony

Yesterday evening I went to the passing of the flame ceremony at the Panathinaiko stadium in Athens. The flame had travelled from Olympia through most of Greece and then to Athens at the Acropolis. After the Acropolis the flame was taken to the Panathinakio stadium where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.  It was an exciting and fun event with the Evzones,  Opera singers, a kids choir, a band and orchestra. The Priestesses were the main highlight of the evening with their beautiful and powerful ancient dance. Then some Greek folk dancing followed by the Brazilian performers with their drums and their fit capoeira dancers. It was nice to see a  celebration of culture and unity and many happy faces in a very difficult time for Greece and the world. And now the flame is off to Brazil and it’s 99 days until the games begin!

Olympic Flame/Ολυμπιακή Φλόγα

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The rehearsal of the ‘lighting of the flame ceremony’ in Ancient Olympia. The actual ceremony will take place tomorrow. No spectators can get this close on that day.The photographs were taken courtesy of my cousin who is lucky enough to work at the ancient site inspite of the hot sun 😉 The flame will travel all the way to Brazil for the summer Olympic games.

I remember being in the ancient stadium for the Athens 2004 Olympic flame ceremony. It was a very cloudy day and then at the right moment the clouds opened up at the and the sun shined through, and the flame was lit. It was a very magical and memorable experience!