2018 Winter Paralympics closing ceremony explained

The 2018 Winter Paralympics closing ceremony was held at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on March 18, 2018.^{[1] [2]}

Ceremony

Opening

• Bandabi, the official mascot of the Games, opens the ceremony.^[3]
• South Korean band Kim Chang-wan Band performed "Arirang".^[3]

Parade of Nations

The flag bearers from each participating country entered the stadium informally in single file, ordered by ganada order of the Korean alphabet, and behind them marched all the athletes, without any distinction or grouping by nationality.

Performances

• Countertenor singer Lee Hee-sang and pianist Kim Ye-ji performed "You are a Flower".^[4]
• Bae Hui Gwan Band performed "존재감".^[5]
• South Korean singer Ailee performed her megahit "I Will Show You".^{[5] [6] [7]}
  • Bae Hui Gwan Band and Ailee also performed together the song "그대에게" by the late Shin Hae-chul.^[5]

Stephen Hawking tribute

The IPC President Andrew Parsons paid tribute to the late Stephen Hawking in his closing speech.^[8]

Handover of the Paralympic flag

The flag was passed by the mayor of Pyeongchang, Shim Jae-kook, to IPC President, Andrew Parsons, who then handed over to the mayor of Beijing, Chen Jining.

Anthems

• Sunny Kim - South Korean National Anthem
• Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra - Paralympic Hymn
• A choir of children's singers from the 56 ethnic groups of China - People's Republic of China National Anthem

Notes and References

1. News: Pyeonchang 2018 unveils official Paralympic emblem. 29 October 2013. 2018-02-09.
2. News: PyeongChang 2018 Launches Official Emblem. olympic.org. International Olympic Committee. 12 August 2016.
3. News: '10일간의 감동의 드라마' 평창패럴림픽, 성황리 폐막. 18 March 2018. Chosun. 18 March 2018. ko.
4. News: Winter Paralympics closing ceremony: South Korea bids farewell to the Games. Belam. Martin. 18 March 2018. The Guardian. 18 March 2018.
5. News: 에일리-배희관 밴드, '평창 동계패럴림픽' 폐막식 장식 '그대에게'. 18 March 2018. Hankook Ilbo. 18 March 2018. ko.
6. Web site: Korean pop singer @itzailee rocked the stadium and then fireworks!! And as quick as a flash the flame is out! #Paralympicspic.twitter.com/i8ujQi2UVv. Games. Paralympic. 18 March 2018. @Paralympics. en. 2018-03-18.
7. Web site: [영상] 패럴림픽 선수들도 들썩들썩…에일리의 흥겨운 무대!]. tv.naver.com. ko. 2018-03-18.
8. News: IPC to pay tribute to Stephen Hawking during PyeongChang Paralympics closing ceremony. 15 March 2018 . Yonhap. 17 March 2018.