MILAN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened on Friday night. Featuring a "dispersed" venue concept, the opening ceremony marked several firsts in Olympic history, while the host country's deep-rooted traditions in art, culture, fashion and winter sports infused the spectacle with distinctive Italian flair.
A DISPERSED OPENING CEREMONY
When Greece, the first delegation in the athletes' parade, stepped onto the stage, the empty space behind the placard bearer momentarily stunned the audience. Seconds later, however, Greek athletes appeared on live-streaming screens at venues in Predazzo and Cortina.
It marked the first time in Olympic history that a Winter Olympics opening ceremony was held simultaneously in two cities - Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Athletes' parade segments were spread across four locations: Milan, Livigno, Predazzo and Cortina, allowing participants to enter at locations closest to where they compete, significantly reducing logistical travel.
A HARMONIOUS CIRCLE BENEATH OLYMPIC RINGS
The Olympic rings were ushered in by an artistic dance performance depicting a dialogue between the "city" of Milan and the "mountain" of Cortina.
Two groups of dancers, dressed respectively in mountain green and urban grey, expressed humanity's ongoing search for balance between nature and modern life.
As one dancer from each group rose into the air with two giant illuminated rings, they leaped toward one another and embraced before descending to the ground, leading the two groups to merge and dance together in a harmonious circle.
The two circles representing Milan and Cortina were then drawn closer as three additional luminous rings rose into the air, forming the Olympic emblem above the stadium.
A HILARIOUS ITALIAN GESTURES "CLASS"
When faux "anchor" Brenda Lodigiani realized her microphone was not working, she began "speaking" through the iconic Italian pinched-finger gesture, drawing bursts of laughter from the audience and revealing that the entire setup was a comedy act.
Waving hands, open palms and shrugged shoulders - athletes and audiences from around the world were introduced to one of Italy's most recognizable cultural codes. Laughter and humor became a vivid form of cultural communication under the Olympic spirit.
A TASTE OF ITALIAN FASHION
As the Italian flag was brought onto the stage, three groups of models paraded in creations by iconic Italian designer Giorgio Armani, transforming the red, white and green of the national flag into a living tableau and paying tribute to one of the most influential figures in contemporary fashion.
The placard bearers' costumes fused tailored elegance with Alpine motifs, bridging urban sophistication and the winter landscape.
The spectacle reached an international dimension when Mariah Carey performed Domenico Modugno's "Nel blu, dipinto di blu," followed by her iconic "Nothing Is Impossible." She wore a vibrant dress designed by Fausto Puglisi, whose Sicilian-inspired creations blend classical mythology, Mediterranean culture and contemporary boldness.
A PIANO MAESTRO'S OLYMPIC RETURN
As the Olympic flag was raised, Chinese pianist Lang Lang joined Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and the children's choir of La Scala Opera House to perform the melody of the Olympic Hymn.
This marked Lang's second appearance at an Olympic opening ceremony, following the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. As noted by the Milan-Cortina Organizing Committee, Lang is not only a pianist but "a bridge between cultures, generations and the world."
A TALE OF TWO CAULDRONS
After the Olympic flame entered the ceremony, it did not remain in the stadium but continued its journey to the final locations outside.
For the first time in Olympic history, a dual-cauldron concept was adopted, with the Olympic flame lit simultaneously at Arco della Pace in Milan and at Piazza Angelo Dibona in Cortina.
The design of the cauldrons draws inspiration from the geometric knot motifs sketched by Italian Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. The cauldrons featur a variable-geometry structure that allows the sphere to open and close dynamically.
After the ceremony, the cauldrons will remain accessible to the public, allowing them to enjoy the lighting ritual during the games. ■
