The torch that will help light up the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February has been lit in Greece.

The ceremony was held Tuesday for around 50 minutes at the ancient temple of Hera in Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games.

The ceremony began with the raising of the Olympic Flag, and then the national flags of South Korea and Greece before a local actor recited the poem, “The Light of Olympia.”

The ceremony was followed by speeches from the Mayor of Olympia, the head of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee Lee Hee-beom, IOC President Thomas Bach and President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos. 

Lee said the flame is the symbol of the Olympic spirit and signifies the start of the international sports festival. 

Due to cloudy conditions, the torch was unable to be lit with a parabolic mirror, so Monday's dress rehearsal flame was used instead. 

The Olympic flame is scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport on November first after a weeklong relay around Greece. 

The PyeongChang Winter Games will take place from February ninth to the 25th next year in the South Korean county.