Highlights Of The Pyeongchang Olympics Opening Ceremony, In Photos

By Hannah Bloch,

Published February 9, 2018 at 3:14 PM CST

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.

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.

Top: Performers with candles; a makeup artist applies glitter to a performer backstage. Bottom: Dancers perform inside a tiger.

South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim performs before lighting the Olympic cauldron.

North and South Korean athletes enter together under the Korean unification flag during the parade of athletes.

Kim Yo Jong (left), the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim kindles the Olympic flame.

A firework display during the opening ceremony.

Fire displays light up the opening ceremony before the Olympic cauldron (bottom left) is kindled.

Pita Taufatofua, who competed in taekwondo in the 2016 Rio Olympics and will compete in cross-country skiing in Pyeongchang, carries the flag of Tonga during the opening ceremony.

Performers entertain the crowd during the opening ceremony.

Some 20,000 fireworks were set off during the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Stadium.