The Winter Olympics of Milano Cortina 2026 are the major event that perpetuates Milan’s renewed international momentum, which began more than a decade ago with Expo 2015. They are also a strategic opportunity for Italy in a geopolitical context where international relations are rapidly changing and are also at stake in symbolic events such as sporting ones, as well as in the host country’s ability to manage them at best.

This is why on Friday night (Feb. 6), all eyes were on the Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026, which took place across the various venues of this edition of the Games — Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo and Livigno — but centered at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, with a three-and-a-half-hour megashow created by Balich Wonder Studio, specialized in the creative direction of major events and with extensive expertise in Olympic ceremonies.

The show revolved around the concept of harmony, as well as Italianness.

“The Opening Ceremony is not just an exercise in technology or spectacle,” Marco Balich stated before the event. “It is, above all, a story told through people and emotions. In a complex world, we want to convey a message of harmony, beauty, and peace that can speak to everyone.”

Among the highly anticipated musical guests were Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini and Andrea Bocelli. In addition, the evening’s musical component included the participation of over 500 musicians who composed the original soundtracks.

The schedule began in the afternoon at the iconic Teatro Alla Scala, home to the official Red Carpet. Many protagonists of past editions of the Olympics passed by, from American snowboarder Shaun White (three-time gold medalist) to Dutch figure skating champion Irene Schouten. Icons from a wide range of fields, from cinema to fashion, were also present: Jeff Goldblum, Donatella Versace, Stanley Tucci and Marisa Tomei.

The music artists are those who catch our attention. Sunghoon of ENHYPEN had already distinguished himself as a torchbearer. At the Scala Theatre, he’s dressed very elegant, in a black suit and white shirt.

“Both athletes and K-Pop artists have the goal to make the fans happy and enjoy the event,” he says, having practiced figure skating competitively for 10 years. “When I was an athlete, my dream was to participate in the Olympics. Being here as an artist feels different but I’m also very honored.”

Also making an almost unexpected appearance is Usher, who talks about relationship between music and sport. “Music and sports go hand in hand. Music, for example, is very important in figure skating. But for the most part, it ultimately gives the athletes a soundtrack that helps to compel and push through,” he says.

The Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026 begins at 8 p.m. sharp with choreographic performances: 70 dancers from the Academy of Teatro Alla Scala reinterpret the myth of Cupid and Psyche. The shades of white and the chiaroscuro of the clothes, which recall the art of the neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova, are then transformed into an explosion of color accompanied by the music of Italian classical composers Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini.

After a tribute to Italian creativity, it’s time for one of the evening’s stars, Mariah Carey. The diva, center stage and surrounded by dancers, sings a cover of Domenico Modugno’s classic “Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu” (also commonly known as “Volare”), completely rearranged and enriched with her famous high notes. This is followed by a hit song from her repertoire, “Nothing Is Impossible.”

The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, take their seats in the grandstand. A heartfelt tribute to Giorgio Armani follows. The king of Italian fashion passed away last September. Models parade wearing his creations, colored in green, white, and red, like the national flag.

Then it’s time for another highly anticipated star, Laura Pausini. Under the Italian flag, the pop star sings the national anthem. The long parade of athletes follows (over an hour), from Greece (traditionally first) to Italy, the host country. The crowd boos as the Israeli flag passes by and applauds the Ukrainian team with vigor.

Then it’s time for the institutional speeches. Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina Foundation, takes the floor first.

“I love my country, I love sports. I’ve never been as proud to be Italian as I am tonight,” he says. “To the athletes I say: this is your time. Your years of dedication, the courage to dream, the determination to push the boundaries… These Games belong to you. During a time in which the world is so divided by conflicts, your very presence demonstrates that another world is possible. Unity, respect, harmony.”

After him, Kirsty Coventry speaks, still addressing the athletes.
“Through you, we see the very best of ourselves,” she says. “You remind us that we can be brave, that we can be kind. When we see se an athlete stumble and find the strength to rise, we’re all reminded that we can do the same. When we see athletes embrace at the finish line, we’re reminded that we can choose respect. No matter where we come from, we all know this spirit.”

Also present at the San Siro Stadium is the actress Charlize Theron, Messenger of Peace of the United Nations, who reads a monologue inspired by a speech by Nelson Mandela. “Peace is not just the absence of conflict,” the actress says. “Peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference.”

The arrival of the Olympic flame at the San Siro Stadium is accompanied by the notes of another synonymous with Italianness, “Nessun dorma,” from Puccini’s opera “Turandot,” performed by the world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli. The flame reaches the stage just as he reaches the highest note of the piece.

Immediately afterward, it’s the turn of rapper Ghali, perhaps the most controversial guest at the Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026 due to his pro-Palestine stance. He claims he was prevented from singing the national anthem and from speaking in Arabic. And the television broadcast never mentions him by name or features him in close-up.

Yet, in its simplicity, his performance is one of the most touching.

Accompanied by a white-clad dance troupe, Ghali recites in three languages (Italian, French and English) the poem “Promemoria” by Italian children’s writer Gianni Rodari, with its simple yet powerful message against conflicts: “There are things you should never do/ Neither by day nor by night/ Neither by sea nor by land/ For example, war.”

After the athletes’ official oaths, the Olympic Braziers get lit simultaneously in Milan and Cortina. The 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin.

This article originally appeared on Billboard Italy.