Incheon, Sep 19 (IANS): Vibrant use of colours and technology dominated the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games being held at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium here Friday.

The ceremony began with an array of fireworks lighting up the sky followed by a performance by local drummers.

It was followed by a cultural programme that recollected the formation of South Korea's first rail road in 1899 as dancers, wearing hard hats and boots, dressed as rail workers, marched across the stage.

South Korean musicians Oak Joo-hyun and Chung Sung-hwa conducted another cultural performance called 'Girl on a Ship' which depicted the story of Prince Biryu and Sim Cheong.

Prince Biryu was the founder of an ancient nation in the port city of Incheon thousands of years ago and Sim Cheong a devoted daughter in a fairy tale who sacrificed herself to rescue her blind father.

The cultural programme was succeeded by songs as well known South Korean poet Ko Un recited a poem called 'Song for the Asiad'.

A ship was built on the stage around a band of opera singers. The ship represented Asia as one sailing together into a bright new future and dancers formed the shape of an airplane which delivered the message that Incheon has become a driving force in Asia.

The stage was doubled up as a giant screen impressively with the smart use of technology. Women dancers in green and blue and men in beige danced across the stage.

Thirteen thousand athletes are scheduled to take part in 439 events during the Sep 19-4 Oct sporting extravaganza.