At the Stade de France
The preamble. The appetizer. More than an hour before the official kickoff of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the opening ceremony took place. 33 French celebrities followed one another on the lawn of Saint-Denis to represent France.
Personalities from all fields, all arts: cinema, music, gastronomy and even crafts. The filmmaker Philippe Lacheau, the model Adriana Karembeu and the actor and co-organizer of this performance, Jean Dujardin were big winners in the applause meter at the Stade de France.
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Stars who presented themselves to the public nearly half an hour before the start of this ceremony, scheduled for 8 p.m. If a shiver ran through the stadium suggesting an early start, this show did indeed start on time.
It was Jean Dujardin who set the tone, arriving all dashing on his bike. Then follows a lap to greet his partners for a day. Zaz pushes the song and the public takes all in heart. Communion takes.
Then, the ceremony accelerates. An Eiffel Tower is deployed in the center of the field. The public is speechless, amazed, amazed, conquered. Before Jean Dujardin reaches the top and takes the crowd a little more with him. Fireworks perfectly concluded this ceremony which sets the tone. On to the game.
Before the kick off given by Antoine Dupont and his band, the officials took the floor. Bill Beaumont, president of World Rugby, was covered by an improvised Marseillaise.
Emmanuel Macron then returned under the whistles of the Stade de France. The head of state’s speech was almost entirely covered by public discontent, remaining silent from time to time to encourage the Blues. More than ever, players are kept waiting.
