On Friday, Jan. 6, with dazzling performances from Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 held their opening ceremony across two cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. 

Following Mariah’s performance of “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” and “Nothing is Impossible”, Vittoria Ceretti presented the Italian flag dressed in a white Giorgio Armani gown, paying homage to the late Italian designer. After the flag was handed off to the Corazzieri, Laura Pausini (also dressed in Armani) performed the Italian national anthem in the San Siro Stadium, while a mountain choir performed concurrently in Cortina. 

This ceremony is not only rich with history, but succeeds in creating more by lighting two2 olympic cauldrons simultaneously for the first time ever. The dual cauldrons represent the “Armonia”, or “Harmony”, of the two host cities, while their physical designs were inspired by the late polymath Leonardo da Vinci.

While several qualification and preliminary events—including figure skating, curling, ice hockey, and alpine skiing—took place before the opening ceremony, the official events are set to take place on Saturday, Jan. 7. The first medal event set to take place is alpine skiing, followed by cross country skiing and speed skating. 

These Olympic Games aim to emphasize the abundance of art and culture rooted in Italy’s history. With venues established all over northern Italy, the dual cauldrons, and countless references to historical and/or influential Italian figures, the Games promotes their sense of connection and “Armonia” in this year’s Winter Olympics.