US EditionIn the Rehearsal Tent: Here's What Makes the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Special
Rehearsals involve 1,200 volunteers and headline artists preparing choreography, costumes, and protocol moments to convey Olympic values and peace under the theme “Harmony.”
- On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, rehearsals began inside a cavernous tent beside San Siro stadium as some 1,200 volunteers prepared the Milan–Cortina 2026 opening ceremony expected to draw 60,000 attendees.
- With the `Harmony` theme, organizers emphasize peaceful competition amid violence in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran, showcase Italian creative and fashion references, and revive the Olympic Truce to halt hostilities before the Games and after the Paralympics closing March 15.
- On the logistics side, organizers have a wardrobe room with 1,400 costumes, seamstresses on site, two cauldrons at Arco della Pace and Cortina, and the Parade of Athletes beamed from three venues.
- Creative director Marco Balich noted rehearsals seek Olympic emotion for the Games' most viewed moment, while director of ceremonies Maria Laura Iascone promised `Olympic magic` and flame transfers between two cauldrons.
- Over the next two weeks, rehearsals will intensify with longer sessions as volunteer roster including Balich's butcher, head of his office, and an 88-year-old widow join before the opening ceremony in February.
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28 Articles
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The 2026 Winter Olympics will begin in February.
In the rehearsal tent: Here’s what makes the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony special
Inside a cavernous tent near Milan’s San Siro stadium, classically trained dancers from La Scala’s academy mimicked Nordic walkers and figure skaters during a rehearsal Saturday for the opening number of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony, which will take place on Feb. 6.
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