Moscow-based contractor ARG was awarded the contract for the Opening Ceremony on 30 January 2011, and they in turn called in The Prolyte Group to supply a number of elements to help realise their vision.
The ceremony, at the newly built 30,000-seat Astana Arena, began with much fanfare and jubilant activity. The entertainment comprised a cultural extravaganza depicting the history of Kazakhstan, aided by a virtual "eagle's eye view" of the country's vast plains. The ceremony included dance, song, distinctive musical instruments and props that came to life.
The centrepiece of the impressive production was a waterfall that cascaded from the top of the set with lighting transforming the stage into a rough sea on which a boat rocked on its search for new lands. The show ended with a memorable giant snowball fight where audience members took their lead from a band of tiny-tot performers and proceeded to pelt anyone and everyone with sponge 'snowballs'.
ARG provided a full production service to bring the ceremony to life. In addition to Prolyte, they commissioned companies including PRG, LMP, Visual Act, Live Sound Agency and Lightmaster and Big Screen Service from Russia.
Prolyte Group supplied a range of trussing - from the ProlyteStructures range - and ProLyft hoists for the event. A substantial quantity of trussing was required to cover the arena roof structure. Over 700m of B100 truss, 770m of S66R truss and more than 2600 m of H40V truss were installed.
Additionally, over 310 1000 kg ProLyft hoists, and 34 2000 kg hoists, fitted with 36-40m of chain, were used to lift the structures.
Aigars Dimza from ARS commented, "With the massive loads applied to the main grid, many of them being dynamic loads - resulting from al the moving props in the show - the grid had to be 100% reliable. Prolyte provided the best solution, the excellent support from the Prolyte team, represented by account manager Henry Schuil, gave us complete confidence."
(Jim Evans)
