The creative director of the inaugural ceremony, Marco Balich, unveiled the design of the two Olympic braziers inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. For the first time in history they will turn on and off in perfect synchrony in Milan and Cortina. At San Siro “more human factor and less technology” among Italian and international artists and 1,200 volunteers involved in the show. Athletes will be «at the center of the action»
With the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics upon us, anticipation is growing for the event that glues more than a billion spectators in front of the TV screen: the opening ceremony of the Games, which will be held on 6 February at 8pm at the San Siro stadium. Its creative director, Marco Balich, revealed more details during an online meeting with the press from all over the world. And for the occasion he revealed the design of the two braziers: one will be located in Milan and the other in Cortina.
The theme of the ceremony
Harmony is the theme of the opening ceremony. As Balich, who has staged 16 ceremonies, explained, harmony means that “there are different sounds that together create a better sound.” And this enriching exchange is reflected in the Games: «They take place in multiple locations», «there is a dialogue of harmony between men and nature, between city and mountains». Just as harmony is «the great journey into the colors of Italy through culture, art and beauty». And above all harmony is “also a universal message of peace”.
The guests and the scenography
The show at San Siro will last two and a half hours: the large stage is surrounded by four ramps representing the four territories of these widespread Games. Among the Italian guests who will take part in the event, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Sabrina Impacciatore, Pierfrancesco Favino, Matilda De Angelis have already been announced. And Mariah Carey will perform as an international star, singing a very well-known song in Italian. But it will be the athletes, Balich specified, who will be “at the center of the action”. With “the four parades” widespread, all athletes will be able to “participate”, even those who “will have to compete the next day”. Also taking part in the show will be 1,200 volunteers who will “wear beautiful costumes”. Music will also be fundamental, with “symphonic compositions” that celebrate “our famous composers: Puccini, Verdi, Rossini”. Obviously Italian history and “its most illustrious personalities” will be celebrated. Among other things, the ceremony will pay homage to Giorgio Armani “as a symbol of the many established designers of Milan, the fashion capital of the world”. And also in Cortina, Livigno, Predazzo other inaugural events of the Games will be held at the same time. In Cortina, Balich revealed, “on a smaller but significant scale” the phases of the official protocols will be doubled, including the flag raising.
Less technology and more human factor
The young creatives who worked together with Balich “speak to generation Z”. And if “authenticity is the key to reaching younger generations”, in the opening ceremony “the human factor and not technology will be the protagonist”. «The emotion comes from humanity» underlined the creative director of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. He then highlighted that among the images that have remained imprinted in the public’s memory are those of “Muhammad Ali trembling” or “the lighting of the brazier at the Barcelona Olympics”. On the contrary, we remember less about the LED light shows.
The design of the braziers
In the meeting with the press, Balich revealed the design of the two braziers: one will be located in Milan at the Arco della Pace, the other in Cortina in Piazza Dibona. And, for the first time in the history of the Olympics, the cauldrons will be turned on and off simultaneously in two different cities. The two objects, designed by Balich and created in partnership with Fincantieri, take inspiration from the sun as a source of natural energy and renewal. And given that «Italy is one of the best-known design capitals in the world», the design of the two braziers is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. «We took inspiration from his geometric knots to create these objects» explained Balich. The geometric interweavings symbolize the harmony between the ingenuity of human beings and nature. The two cauldrons, which open and close, hold the flame, which in turn is enclosed in a glass and metal container. It is “a contemporary symbol that represents design, sunlight, sustainability, beauty”.
The cauldron show
The lighting of the two braziers on February 6 symbolizes the opening of the Games and the end of the journey of the Olympic flame after 63 days. From the following day, February 7, the brazier at the Arco della Pace in Milan will be at the center of a daily show that will be held every hour, from 5pm to 11pm. The show will continue until the Olympic flame is extinguished on February 22nd. While on March 6, when the Paralympic flame arrives, the two braziers of Milan and Cortina will light up again.
