Opening Ceremony Fireworks - Smiley faces in the sky

Last week we uploaded some pictures of the impressive fireworks display that lit up the Bird's Nest on July 16 as part of a rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Since then more videos of the fireworks display have emerged, that allow you to take a look at the rehearsal from up close, far away, from a moving car (with the stereo on) or slide show-like highlights of the best stills. More details about the huge fireworks display were revealed at a BOCOG press conference held yesterday. For full details of what the display will involve you can look at the full text of the press conference, however two details caught out attention.

According to Xinhua, a climax of the display will be the firing of 2008 smiley faces fireworks (pictured above)into the air above the Bird's Nest. The smiley faces are in keeping with the pictures of 10,000 smiling faces that Zhang Yimou has already revealed will be integrated into the opening ceremony.

The other part of the report that caught our attention is that Cai Guoqiang, director of visual and special effects of opening and closing ceremonies, revealed that there will be a total of 35,000 shells let off at 73 release sites around the city. He also noted that the ancient axis of the city - the line that runs north-south from Yongdingmen (just to the west of the Altar of Heaven (Tiantan), Gugong, the Bird's Nest and further north to the Olympic Green Park. Fireworks will also be released at Juyongguan pass on the Great Wall.

Links and Sources
Anhui News: image
Xinhua: Beijing plans to stage spectacular fireworks for Olypmics
Beijing 2008: Fireworks to highlight Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
The Beijnger: Pic of the Week: Fireworks at the Bird's Nest