Miss World

Welcome Ceremony : Full Recap

Last night's Miss World 2015 Welcome Ceremony was truly nothing short of spectacular and featured a glittering parade of nations, a welcome dinner for all of the contestants, a dazzling firework display, and – believe it or not - a night of dancing to EDM music, to initiate the commencement of the competition and mark Miss World’s highly-awaited return to Sanya in 2015!

Vietnam

Taking place on Monday 23 November, at the luxurious Beauty Crown Grand Hotel in Sanya, the Miss World 2015 Welcome Ceremony gave the contestants their first taste of superstardom as they were presented to the adoring public, international media, and Sanya’s top dignitaries for the first time.

The Welcome Ceremony commenced with the parade of nations, where the delegates, wearing necklaces made of orchids presented to them by local children, paraded through the Beauty Crown Grand Hotel’s Great Hall and honorably represented their countries to hundreds of onlookers, press, and VIP’s, symbolizing the future of China’s relations with the world and the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.

Among the many VIP guests in attendance to honour us with their presence were Vice Executive Mayor of Sanya Yue Jing, Vice Mayor Madame Xu Zhen Ling and Vice Mayor Mister Wu Peng, who were also more than happy to pose for photos with the delegates and with our current Miss World, Rolene Strauss.

Following the parade of nations, the contestants were hosted to an incredible dinner in the Beauty Crown Grand Hotel’s stunning Moringa Ballroom, where they were able to let their hair down, mingle with their fellow contestants and fans and enjoy the finest cuisine Sanya has to offer. Nepal told us this was her favourite part of the competition so far – “today all the contestants got to really interact with one another and got to know each other’s cultures and backgrounds which is such a divine and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you Miss World organization!”

During the welcome dinner, Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss gave perhaps the most moving speech of her reign in which she described her love of Sanya and her most valuable lesson learnt during her tenure as Miss World, or as she put it “the importance of speaking with your heart and just not your voice.” She says she learnt this lesson after travelling the world, to places like Sanya where the English language is not commonly understood; learning that in spite of language barriers, words and feelings from the heart have the potential to be understood by all.

In spite of the near-flawless delivery, only moments before the speech, Rolene expressed to us her nervousness of speaking to the room full of contestants for the first time. “I am quite nervous”, she said. “I remember the first time Megan Young, Miss World 2013, spoke to the contestants and seeing how amazing it was and I only hope mine can be as good as hers!” Judging by the reactions from the contestants and Sanya’s top dignitaries who gave Rolene a standing ovation, it certainly was!

Alongside Rolene, the delegates from China PR, United States, New Zealand, Botswana, France, and Jamaica,representing each of the world’s regions, also gave heart-warming speeches and passionately spoke of their pride for their continents and their motivations for entering the Miss World family and becoming part of ‘Beauty with a Purpose’. 

The contestants were then treated to a night of dancing at the recently opened Bar Street, located minutes from the Beauty Crown, where they got to rub shoulders with local artists and DJ’s and let loose away from the stress of the competition. As a gift, the contestants were also given the opportunity to immortalize their handprints in gold ceramic. Lesotho said regarding the handprints “I’ve never experienced anything like this. I will treasure this moment forever!”

Lastly, the cherry on top of such a remarkable day was the breathtaking fireworks display that was arranged in honour of all of the contestants. Miss Italy said she had never been that close to fireworks before and was truly mesmerized!

Without a doubt, the Miss World 2015 Welcome Ceremony is sure to go down in history as one of the most beautiful and extravagant Miss World welcomes to date and has no doubt left an impression on the contestants that is sure to last a lifetime.

Click Here for the full photo gallery!

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