Armonia lights four venues as Milan-Cortina opens the 2026 Games
The 2026 Winter Olympics opened with a four-site ceremony across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo, centering on the theme “Armonia” to unify Italy’s regions. Highlights included Andrea Bocelli lighting one of the cauldrons, performances honoring Italian culture, and athletes entering by the venue closest to their events. Russia-friendly applause and celebrations for Ukraine, the U.S., and Italy punctuated the night, with President Mattarella praising unity and gender balance. Critics described the multi-site format as making the opener feel smaller, more like local parades than a single grand spectacle, and noted some logistical and symbolic quirks (e.g., few flags due to flagbearer rules). Nonetheless, the ceremony aimed to project harmony and connection across the Games.
