This was a powerful opening ceremony for the Paralympics, steeped in symbolism and French charm.

The climax has arrived! Some of the most prominent French figures from the Paralympics past and present, Nantinin Keita, Alexis Hanquinkant, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Elodie Lorandi and Fabien Lamirault, together light the torch in the famous hot air balloon, which then takes to the sky.

There is French Olympic medalist Florent Manaudou with the torch. He will first pass the baton to 12 other Paralympians from around the world before the Olympic flame is officially lit in the Tuileries Garden.

Once again, it’s up to the dancers on duty. Dressed in all white with the obelisk as a backdrop, they perform the dances that precede the arrival of the Paralympic flag. It gets a stylish place next to the French version. The Paralympic oath is also pronounced. Now all that remains is to light the torch.

As the French flag is raised in the air, the French national anthem is played from the Place de la Concorde. The Eiffel Tower sparkles in the background. It must be said: a magical moment.

After a piece of music, a video is shown about the history of the Paralympics. For example, did you know that the idea for the Paralympics originated in a military hospital in North London in 1948? Neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann was looking for a way to speed up the recovery of his paraplegic patients, all World War II veterans, and came up with the idea of ​​organising a series of sporting events to be held at the same time as the Olympic Games in London.

The athletes’ parade gives way to a mini-report in which several Paralympic athletes speak candidly about their disability and the impact it has had on their lives.

To the tune of the famous (and rarely so iconic) French song “Les Champs-Élysées” by Joe Dassin, the delegation of the homeland arrives at the Place de la Concorde. Former tennis star Yannick Noah is also present and lets his tears flow freely. It is a beautiful moment for all French people.

This also means the end of the athletes’ show. What comes next remains a mystery for now.

He – She Refugee Team He is one of the last to act and is receiving a standing ovation. This edition has eight athletes, which has never been more. This is the third time the Refugee Team has participated in the Paralympics. The team made its debut at Rio 2016. The team represents more than 120 million refugees worldwide, an estimated 18 million of whom live with disabilities.

Eritrea is also present, for the first time. The country is one of three nations that made their Paralympic debut in Paris. In addition, Kosovo and tiny Kiribati are also included for the first time. The three nations will compete with one athlete each.

The different delegations gradually enter the Place de la Concorde. Everyone is dressed in the traditional costumes of their country. The Belgians change into beautiful black, yellow and red.

The Belgians are also in the picture, in 15th place. The Belgian flag is carried by equestrian Manon Claes and wheelchair tennis player Joachim Girard. They are followed by athletes Chiara Maini, Maxime Karabin, Lea Baekula, Martin Klubert, Selma Van Kerem, dressage rider Kevin Van Ham, table tennis player Ben Despino, swimmers Aymeric Parmentier and Tatiana Lebrun, cyclist Maxime Hordy, badminton star Man Kee. To triathlete Wim De Paepe and guide Valentin Poncelet.

Germany was one of the first countries to arrive with a large delegation and great enthusiasm. The Germans are in Paris with 143 athletes. For comparison: Belgium is present with 29 matches, 14 of which will be present tonight.

And of course the fighter jets are not to be missed. With their speed, they paint the sky above Paris blue, white and red. The Place de la Concorde is ready for the athletes to enter. The Belgians arrive at the 15th avenue of the Champs-Élysées at the Place de la Concorde.

Another burst of music: Héloïse Adélaïde Letissier of Christine and the Queens performs her own version of Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne sorry rien.” The dancers’ different movements blend together.

Meanwhile, the arena is filled with around 150 dancers – initially performing classical dances, but now to electronic beats. The dancers in black represent the strict society, and the disabled dancers in bright colours. In this way, the aim is to portray the paradox of a society that claims to be inclusive, but fails to fully integrate people with disabilities.

There’s Corinne again. He arrives in his red taxi at the Place de la Concorde – the venue for the party – and shouts: “Welcome to Paris!” At the same time, fireworks are launched into the sky. This is a party!

“Paradox“ is the theme of this opening ceremony. The show explains the various paradoxes that many Paralympic athletes face in their daily lives.

The event begins with an introductory video where Theo Corrin takes some French Paralympians with him in his taxi. Corrin himself has already competed in the Paralympics in swimming G.

Paris is on fire again at the Paralympic Games: watch the opening ceremony now via the live stream above or via VRT Ketnet.

In addition to the flag bearers Manon Claes and Joachim Girard, 12 Belgians will be present tonight. This includes Maxime Karabin, Lea Baekula and Martin Clobert. Valentin Poncelet, Clobert’s marathon guide, accompanies the 14G athletes. Including some coaches and supervisors, there will soon be around 30 Belgians in the parade.

“We are just a few hours away from a historic page for the Paralympians,” said Marie-Amelie Le Fur at the press conference. The president of the French Paralympic Committee also said the ceremony would be spectacular. “It will be a spectacle close to the hearts of the athletes, but it will also show that people with disabilities still need to develop.”

Just like the Olympics, the opening ceremony will take place on the streets of Paris tonight. Not on the Seine, but along the Place de la Concorde.

The choreographer is the Swedish Alexander Ekman. The stage will feature 150 dancers, including about 20 with disabilities.

The names of the performers are still unknown. Who the flame bearer is is also a mystery.