Barco projectors power the opening ceremony of the United Nations Day of Vesak

On May 26, the opening ceremony of the 21st United Nations Day of Vesak took place at the Lingshan Brahma Palace Theater in Wuxi. Vesak Day is a major Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. This marked the first time the event was hosted in China. With its advanced visual technology, Barco created an immersive experience that seamlessly blended traditional wisdom with modern stage design.

Brilliant projection creates an immersive visual canvas

The visual design of the opening ceremony fully leveraged the theatre’s architectural features. Projection mapping precisely covered the dome, floor, and stage drapery, creating a layered, panoramic visual environment.

As the performance unfolded, the dome transformed through 3D projection mapping into scenes inspired by traditional cultural aesthetics. In the starry sky sequence, celestial visuals across the dome echoed the shimmering starlight on the stage floor, enhancing the perception of depth and space.

Barco projectors also displayed elegant white text on the stage drapery, adding narrative depth and enriching the cultural atmosphere.

Tackling complexity to deliver spectacular stage visuals

The design and installation of this project presented significant challenges. Due to the theatre’s complex architecture and the need to preserve the integrity of the immersive space, equipment could not be installed directly within the main venue.

Following detailed planning, the team installed 30 Barco QDX‑4K45 projectors in a circular configuration along catwalks positioned 12 metres above the ground. Of these, 21 projectors covered the dome, which spans approximately 46 metres in diameter. Equipped with 2.0–2.8 throw ratio lenses, they handled projection distances of 46 to 50 metres, enabling dynamic visuals such as flying figures and drifting petals.

An additional four projectors created starlight effects on the stage floor, while five projected text onto the front drapery.

Installation posed further challenges, as large engineering vehicles could not enter the theatre due to the mechanical lifting stage. The technical team therefore used custom rigging frames and winches to lift each projector into position. In the narrow catwalk space, projectors had to be installed alongside audio and video equipment in highly constrained conditions.

The electric frame functionality of the QDX‑4K45 proved critical, allowing engineers to remotely adjust projection angles and significantly improve installation efficiency. The entire setup was completed in just one week.

The project also involved a large number of imaging devices and complex content workflows. Barco Encore3 delivered powerful signal distribution and multi-unit interconnection, enabling unified control and efficient deployment across the entire visual canvas. Four Encore3 processors and two EC‑210 controllers handled main and backup signal switching, ensuring seamless performance throughout the event.

The preferred choice for large-scale events

For complex indoor stage environments, Barco projectors offer clear advantages, including precise geometric correction, seamless edge blending, accurate colour reproduction, high contrast, and low noise levels that preserve the acoustic experience. Combined with industrial-grade reliability, these capabilities make Barco a trusted choice for demanding live events.

The successful deployment at the United Nations Day of Vesak opening ceremony once again demonstrates the performance and reliability of Barco projection solutions in large-scale, high-impact environments. Looking ahead, Barco continues to support international events and cultural exchanges with innovative visualisation technologies.