Friday night’s opening ceremony for Budapest’s 2017 FINA World Championships welcomed the global swimming community with a brilliant show held atop a floating stage on the Danube, with the Royal Palace as a backdrop. Hundreds of performers filled the two-hour extravaganza with celebrations of Hungarian culture and historic connections to water sports, along with a brief concert by American singer CeeLo Green, all enhanced with amazing light shows and a spectacular fireworks display. Check out highlights of the ceremony in a photo essay by We Love Budapest staff photographer Norbert Hartyányi: