39th Chemistry Olympiad is open

The opening ceremony of the 39th International Chemistry Olympiad took place in Moscow State University on the 16th of July. Teams from 68 countries took part in this bright and very significant event. The members of the international organisation committee, the MSU and Chemistry Department Leaders, Russian Education and Research ministry representatives and sponsors congratulated the Olympiad participants and made their welcoming speeches.
Team mentors on the opening ceremony	Ceremonial parade of participants	Ceremonial parade of participants
Russian folk choir is greeting the participants	Hosts are welcoming guests with bread and salt	Students are trying traditional Russian treatment
Folk round dance ("horovod")	Korean and Russian studentd are carrying the olympic flag to a place of hosting	The olympic flag is hosted !!! the 39th Olympiad is opened!!
The Dean of the chemistry faculty, V.V. Lunin, is giving a welcoming speech	The Rector of MSU V.A. Sadovnichij is wishing students good luck	The Chairman of the Steering Committee, Manfred Kerschbaumer
The representative of olympic sponsor Lukoil	Symbolic Globe in the hands of young generation	...passing the olympic fire
Russian students, carrying the symbolic olympic fire	Ceremonial firework, burned by the olympic fire	During the opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 39^th International Chemistry Olympiad took place in Moscow State University on the 16^th of July. Teams from 68 countries took part in this bright and very significant event. Many smart young people got together to celebrate the opening ceremony of International Chemistry Olympiad and to greet each other. The ceremony took place in front of new library building. The performance began in 11 o'clock with a parade of teams from different countries. Each team appeared in their own Olympic uniform with their national flags and even with their talismans. New Zealanders, for example, carried lucky bird kiwi. After team presentation students tasted traditional bread and salt.

The members of the international organisation committee, the MSU and Chemistry Department Leaders, Russian Education and Research ministryrepresentatives and sponsors congratulated the Olympiad participants and made their welcoming speeches. They underlined that Chemistry is one of the most important sciences in the modern world. Chemists are involved in developing such branches of science as medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, and new material. Chemistry is a 'peaceful' science and all the participants should bring their homes the spirit of friendship and positive cooperation, which always presents on the Olympiad.

After the official congratulation a great show with orchestra music, folk and modern dances and firework was held. The representative of Russian command Leonid Romashov, took an oath of the Olympiad with his hand on the heart. By setting the Olympic fire and rising the flag the 10-day chemical marathon was started. In the end, 500 rainbow balloons were made to fly away to the sky!!!