Recommendations of the Editorial team
If on Friday (February 6th) the Winter Olympics Italy is breaking with tradition. For the first time in the history of the Games, the opening ceremony will not take place in one location, but on four stages in four regions:
in the San Siro Stadium in Milan and in the ski resorts of Predazzo, Livigno and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The IOC’s flowery choice of words says: “City and mountains, metropolis and Alpine region become equal venues for a synchronized event that is dedicated to a central leitmotif: Armonia.”
So “harmony”. A motto that sounds like a mockery in view of the “reintegration” of the Russians waging a war of aggression against Ukraine into the Olympic circus that IOC boss Kirsty Coventry is striving for. A process that is still pending and is now being pushed musically into the background with great impact.
Andrea Bocelli took part in the 2006 Olympics in Turin
Opera star Andrea Bocelli returns to the Olympic stage around 20 years after his appearance at the 2006 Turin Games. At that time, his rendition of “Because We Believe” became the graduation anthem. In the stadium of city rivals Inter and AC Milan, he is now at the center of the IOC concept harmony
In tow: US icon Mariah Carey, who will sing in Italian, as well as Laura Pausini, whose path from the stage of the Sanremo Festival to the Grammy win is exemplary of the international success of Italo-Pop.
Ghali sets the famous counterpoint. A rapper whose ouvre is characterized by Milanese Corso slang, mixed with Franco-Arabic influences. The so-called “urban perspective” of the opening ceremony.
There are also classical all-purpose weapons and pianist Lang Lang and famed mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.
“The White Lotus” star there
The strong involvement of the cinema shows that this opening wants to be unique. Pierfrancesco Favino, Matilda De Angelis and Sabrina Impacciatore – most recently celebrated internationally for their role in “The White Lotus” – are supposed to give the evening the dramatic WOW bracket.
We expect a massive Italo spectacle with pomp and elegance; according to the hosts, “a portrait of contemporary Italy” will be created. So “Armonia Grande” as a request. Fair words in a grim world.
