On the evening of April 25, the historic Black Sea city of Burgas welcomed the opening ceremony of the 5th World Taijiquan Championships. Guests in attendance included Patrick Van Campenhout, Vice President of the International Wushu Federation; Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas; Stefan Kolev, Director of the Organizing Committee for the 5th World Taijiquan Championships; and Zhang Yanbo, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Bulgaria.
The opening ceremony unfolds amid flowing light and shadow
Taijiquan Embraces "Harmony" as Light and Shadow Dance
Inside the Mladost Sports Hall, the opening ceremony slowly began on a stage bathed in flowing light and shadow. Singers in vibrant traditional costumes stepped to cheerful rhythms, their melodious voices showcasing the fiery, passionate spirit of the Balkan Peninsula to guests from afar — thus began a heartfelt embrace between Eastern civilization and Western charm.
Local folk music fills the air
Modern dancers moved with free, graceful expressions, encountering the fluid, powerful, and gentle motions of Taijiquan. With each release and gather, each relaxation and tension, the two art forms quietly merged. The Taiji symbol slowly emerged at the center of the stage. East and West achieved perfect harmony within this shared space.
A fusion performance of taijiquan and modern dance.
Athletes Gather from Across the Globe to Compete Through Wushu
During the flag presentation ceremony, the flags of participating teams converged from all sides of the stage toward the center, symbolizing taijiquan athletes arriving in Burgas from around the world. Taiji athletes from 38 countries and regions will carry the spirit of wushu, make friends through taijquan, and celebrate this grand taiji gathering.
Flag presentation ceremony for participating teams
Patrick Van Campenhout, Vice President of the International Wushu Federation, delivered the first speech. He warmly welcomed the athletes, team officials, referees, and guests from afar, and praised the vigorous global development of Taijiquan. Mr. Van Campenhout noted that Taijiquan serves as a healthy bond and a bridge of friendship connecting people worldwide. He said with deep emotion: "Today, the hundreds of millions of taiji practitioners around the world are not just a group — we are a global family, united by our shared pursuit of health, inner peace, and mutual respect." He wished all athletes excellent performance and sportsmanship, and hoped they would take away wonderful and unforgettable memories from Burgas.
Patrick Van Campenhout, IWUF Vice President delivers a speech.
Following this, Stefan Kolev, President of the Bulgarian Wushu Federation and Director of the Organizing Committee for the 5th World Taijiquan Championships, addressed the audience. On behalf of the organizing committee, he extended his warmest welcome to friends from all over the world. Mr. Kolev reviewed the development of taijiquan in Bulgaria — from its beginnings to its current flourishing — and said with emotion: "Taijiquan has taken root and blossomed in the Land of Roses. Today, it has become part of daily life for many Bulgarians. Burgas hosting this world-class taiji event for the second time is a dream realized through years of effort, and marks an important milestone in the development of Bulgarian wushu."
Stefan Kolev, director of the organizing committee for the 5th World Taijiquan Championships, delivers a speech.
The host then read a congratulatory letter from the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria. Bulgarian athlete Lyubomir Zankov and Polish judge Martyna Gawłowska took solemn oaths on behalf of all athletes and referees, respectively.
With all eyes on him, Mayor Dimitar Nikolov of Burgas declared: "The 5th World Taijiquan Championships is officially open!"
Mayor Nikolov declares the championships open.
A "Flash Mob" Finale: The Light of Taiji Shines Over Burgas
No sooner had the words been spoken than the music swelled and the stage transformed. Stefan Kolev, Director of the Organizing Committee, exchanged his formal suit for a more relaxed look and stepped confidently to the center of the stage, where he began performing taijiquan with calm composure. Athlete representatives from various countries and regions quietly joined him at center stage, and a unique "flash mob" brought the atmosphere to its peak.
Organizing Committee Director Stefan Kolev leads the taiji flash mob.
There were no fixed formations, no deliberate choreography — only flowing, spontaneous movement. Amid the interplay of light and shadow, the explosive power of Chen style, the graceful ease of Yang style, the softness of Wu style, the opening and closing of Sun style — all styles of Taijiquan were performed together. Between stillness and motion, speed and slowness, the philosophy and harmonious beauty of taijiquan were fully displayed. In that moment, the wisdom of taiji shone brightly over the night sky of Burgas.
A Taiji flash mob takes place at the opening ceremony.
Amid enthusiastic cheers and applause, the opening ceremony of the championships came to a successful close.
