The curtain falls on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics with the closing ceremony of the Games. The appointment is this evening, Sunday 15 March, at 8.30 pm live on Rai 2. Unfortunately, unlike the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics which were broadcast on Rai 1, in this case it was preferred to move to the second network, effectively relegating the Paralympics to something minor and less important. Certainly not worthy of Rai 1.
The opening ceremony should have already been broadcast on Rai 2, except for a last-minute change after the many controversies surrounding it. A decision that fully reflects the limited coverage given to the Paralympics by many media, despite the excellent results obtained by our athletes.
Cortina was the protagonist of the closing ceremony
Returning to the program, this time the ceremony will feature Cortina d’Ampezzo (to symbolize the widespread spirit of this edition of the games) and will take place in the historic Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, also known as the Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, a symbolic place for Italian sport.
Built for the 1956 Winter Olympics, the facility still represents one of the most iconic places in the Olympic tradition. Here, among the Dolomites, the so-called Pearl of the Dolomites will once again become the center of the international scene, celebrating a link between past and future that makes this edition of the Games unique.
“Italian Souvenir”: a show of emotions
The concept chosen for the grand finale is entitled Italian Souvenir: a visual and musical story that will retrace the emotions experienced during the Games, transforming them into a sort of collective album of memories. The show will combine lights, music, dance and scenography to tell a contemporary Italy, far from stereotypes, capable of blending innovation and tradition. Hundreds of performers will be involved on stage, including dance troupes, technicians and artists, with a complex production created in record time: the set-up will in fact take place in the few hours following the last matches played in the same stadium.
Protagonist athletes and flag parade
The heart of the ceremony will be represented by the Paralympic athletes, the true protagonists of the evening. a During the show, the flags of the 55 participating countries will parade, carried by the athletes themselves, unlike what happened in the opening ceremony, in a symbolic parade that will celebrate the spirit of sharing and inclusion of the Games. The delegations will be mixed together, creating an image of unity that requires borders and nationalities.
The expected guests
To accompany the most exciting moment of the evening there will also be live music. Among the announced guests, the presence of Planet Funk stands out, an internationally known Italian electronic music collective, who will bring to the stage their style capable of blending electronic, rock and psychedelic sounds. The presence of Arisa, fresh from participating in the Sanremo Festival, was also announced over a month ago, ready to give unforgettable emotions and a thrilling finale with her unique voice.
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