XX Torino Winter Olympics

27.02.2006 A party of joy to celebrate the success of the Olympic Games, with a touch of sadness for an event that was ending - Fiat's home city of Turin was in the world spotlight as it presented an extravagant Closing Ceremony last night

A party of joy, which celebrated the success of the Olympic Winter Games and the athletes’ victories, coupled with a touch of sadness for an event that was coming to an end. This was how the Torino 2006 Closing Ceremony, which was held last night at the Olympic Stadium, presented itself, a great show that had the Carnival as its dominating theme. This was the weekend during which the whole of Italy disguised itself, and this celebration, deeply rooted in Italian tradition, was the underlying theme of the entire evening. The show, designed and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the most widely recognised director, writer, choreographer and clown at an international level for his theatre performances inspired by the circus world, combined the fantasy and colours of the Carnival with the sounds and shapes typical of the circus and Art Comedy. 
 
The protocol moments of the ceremony alternated with the more informal and irreverent ones typical of the Carnival. Thus, the clowns came on to the scene, together with snow explorers, the mermaid, interpreted by Valeria Marini, the Carnival Court, led by the King and the Queen, and the Masks of the Viareggio Carnival. And there was also a tribute to Federico Fellini, as six original costumes from the film “The Clowns” by the master from Rimini, created by the Oscar Award winner Danilo Donati, were worn by the entertainers. The audience was also very involved. Just as for the Opening Ceremony, all the spectators were given a kit with angel and devil masks and with a red nose that lit up. Everyone was invited to wear them, including the heads of state and government and the other celebrities packing the grandstands. “We will see how they will react to this joke” Finzi Pasca smiled prior to the event. It took take place on the occasion of the athletes’ parade, who this time were parading all together and not divided by nations, preceded by the flags of all the participating countries.
 
TORINO 2006 - CLOSING CEREMONY
TORINO 2006 - CLOSING CEREMONY

The Torino 2006 Closing Ceremony, which was held last night at the Olympic Stadium, presented itself as a great show that had the Carnival as its dominating theme. This was the weekend during which the whole of Italy disguised itself and this celebration, deeply rooted in Italian tradition, was to be the underlying theme of the entire glamorous evening.

TORINO 2006 - CLOSING CEREMONY
TORINO 2006 - CLOSING CEREMONY

A party of joy to celebrate the success of the Olympic Winter Games, coupled with a touch of sadness for an event that was ending - Fiat's home city of Turin was in the world spotlight once more as it presented an extravagant Closing Ceremony last night.


The Italian flag bearer during the parade was Armin Zoeggeler, who had captured the nation's hearts when he won the gold medal in the luge. There was then space for memories: Fiat Cinquecento, Vespe, Ape and Lambrette all came driving on to the scene and many characters were dressed up as Harlequin and Pulcinella. The official moments included the award ceremony of the cross-country skiing 50 km (it is still a final novelty feature, taken as an example by Athens 2004, when the marathon was awarded), the closing speeches of the IOC President, Rogge, and Toroc, Castellani, and then the passage of the Olympic flag from the hands of the mayor of Torino, Sergio Chiamparino, to his counterpart of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan. Then an eight-minute segment started, presented by Vanoc, the Organising Committee of Vancouver 2010. The protagonists during this were the tenor Ben Heppner, who sang the Canadian national anthem, as well as the young Canadian rockstar, Avril Lavigne.
 
Another important official moment during the Closing Ceremony came with the extinguishing of the Olympic Cauldron: with Andrea Bocelli on the stage, 400 maids walked into the stadium holding a lantern in their hands. Their blowing led to the simultaneous extinguishing of the Cauldron. Then it was time for the grand finale with the aurora borealis, the pyrotechnical fountains, and live performances from singing stars Ricky Martin and Elisa, and finally all the amazing the fireworks.
 
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26.02.2006

With Torino 2006 winding up to a close this evening, Lancia reports that more than 16,000 drinks have been served in 'ice glasses' dispensed in the 'Lancia Ice Bar'

Report & Photos: Torino 2006 / © 2006 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed