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More than 1,200 people, including 1,000 residents of Gangwon province, form the shape of a dove out of candlelight during the opening ceremony. Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images
More than 1,200 people, including 1,000 residents of Gangwon province, form the shape of a dove out of candlelight during the opening ceremony. (Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images)
NPR

Highlights of The Pyeongchang Olympics Opening Ceremony, in Photos

NPR

Highlights of The Pyeongchang Olympics Opening Ceremony, in Photos

Hannah Bloch
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Beginning with fireworks and ending with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, Pyeongchang's Winter Olympics opening ceremony, called "Peace in Motion," took place Friday evening amid gusts of wind and frigid temperatures.

Watching inside the Olympic stadium was a crowd of more than 30,000 — including South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Vice President Pence sat nearby.

In the parade of nations — 92 are taking part in these Olympics — American luger Erin Hamlin, a four-time Olympian, served as Team USA's flag-bearer. A unified Korean team marched together under a unification flag. But many thought Pita Taufatofua — who competed in taekwondo in Rio's Summer Games and is in Pyeongchang to compete in cross-country skiing — stole the show by reprising his bare-chested appearance as flag-bearer for Tonga.

Spectators watch fireworks go off at the start of the opening ceremony.
Spectators watch fireworks go off at the start of the opening ceremony. (Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)
Top: Performers with candles; a makeup artist applies glitter to a performer backstage. Bottom: Dancers perform inside a tiger.
Top: Performers with candles; a makeup artist applies glitter to a performer backstage. Bottom: Dancers perform inside a tiger. (Matthias Hangst; Gregory Bull; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim performs before lighting the Olympic cauldron.
South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim performs before lighting the Olympic cauldron.
(Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)
North and South Korean athletes enter together under the Korean unification flag during the parade of athletes.
North and South Korean athletes enter together under the Korean unification flag during the parade of athletes. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
The crowd stands amid lights.
The crowd stands amid lights.
(Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
A firework display during the opening ceremony.
A firework display during the opening ceremony.
(Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images)
Fire displays light up the opening ceremony before the Olympic cauldron (bottom left) is kindled.
Fire displays light up the opening ceremony before the Olympic cauldron (bottom left) is kindled.
(Lars Baron; Jonathan Nackstrand; Frank Fife;Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Performers entertain the crowd during the opening ceremony.
Performers entertain the crowd during the opening ceremony.
(Martin Bureau/AFP; Richard Heathcote; Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Some 20,000 fireworks were set off during the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Stadium.
Some 20,000 fireworks were set off during the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Stadium.
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

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