Verona, a city renowned for its ties to Romeo and Juliet, is preparing to host the Olympic Closing Ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics this Sunday. The historic Arena di Verona will serve as the backdrop for an event celebrating the achievements of approximately 1,500 athletes amid vibrant Italian music and dance.
“Beauty in Motion” Theme
The closing ceremony, titled “Beauty in Motion,” reflects a dynamic vision of beauty, as articulated by producer Alfredo Accatino. “Beauty cannot be fixed in time. This ancient monument is beautiful if it is alive, if it continues to change,” he stated. Acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle has been leading rehearsals in this iconic venue alongside 350 volunteers.
Featured Performers and Artists
- Roberto Bolle – Renowned ballet dancer
- Achille Lauro – Featured singer
- Gabry Ponte – DJ headliner
During rehearsals, the sounds of Achille Lauro and Gabry Ponte’s hits echoed through the Arena, enhancing the excitement for the upcoming ceremony.
Ancient Venue with a Rich History
The Arena di Verona dates back to A.D. 1 and has long been a venue for entertainment. Accatino hinted at surprises hidden within the Arena’s vast tunnels, promising a unique blend of history and spectacle during the ceremony. “At a certain point, this mysterious world will come out,” he asserted.
Symbolism and Climate Awareness
The stage design is inspired by a drop of water, symbolically linking the Olympic mountain venues with the Po River Valley, where both Milan and Verona are located. This theme serves as a poignant reminder of climate change’s impact on the Winter Games.
Attendance and Logistics
The ceremony expects about 12,000 attendees, a more intimate gathering compared to over 60,000 at the opening ceremony in Milan’s San Siro stadium. Athletes are traveling from various locations, some journeying over an hour from Milan and others up to four hours from the mountain venues.
Flag Bearers and Ceremonial Highlights
Italy has appointed gold medalists Lisa Vittozzi and Davide Ghiotti to carry the national flag. Vittozzi has made a remarkable comeback in biathlon after an injury, while Ghiotti, hailing from Veneto, achieved victory in men’s pursuit speed skating.
Transitioning to France
One of the ceremony’s key elements will be the handover of the Olympic flag to the next host nation, France. This moment will be marked by the French flag’s raising next to Italy’s, concluding with the extinguishing of the Olympic flames, visible via video link.
Future Events and Accessibility Upgrades
The Verona Arena will also host the Paralympic opening ceremony on March 6. Significant upgrades, including wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms, have been made to enhance accessibility and safety for the upcoming events, which will run until March 15 in Milan and Cortina.
