As unlikely as it sounds, a giant, mechanical, patchwork bull made of scrap metal has provided the emotional core of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
The “raging bull” roared into Alexander Stadium mid-way through the show, pulled by the underpaid and overworked female-chain makers of the industrial revolution.
He was brought into a recreation of the Bullring — a famous spot in the city that was once a marketplace, and is now a central meeting place and shopping hub.
It was made from parts sourced from local factories, a nod to Birmingham’s reputation as the “city of 1,000 trades”, but the way it moved and emoted struck a chord, as its journey mirrored that of the city.
Lorell Boyce’s character Stella forms a friendship with the bull.(Reuters: Hannah Mckay)
It started as hurt and scared, then broke free from its shackles, experienced cultural tensions, and ultimately rose again to become a symbol of light and love, and remained at the centre of the arena for the rest of the show.
It was a common theme throughout the ceremony, as organisers focused on bringing the Commonwealth nations together.
Pride, passion, and fun
One of the most powerful symbols of that came when the Queen’s Baton entered the stadium.
Diver Tom Daley was the first baton bearer, and he was accompanied by athletes and activists carrying Pride Progress flags to call out the 35 Commonwealth members where homosexuality is still criminalised.
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