Dear Friends,
On Sunday I was
invited to the general rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony. In Rio the decision
was made not to build an Olympic Stadium, but to use two of the existing ones
for the event. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place at Maracanã,
the world famous football stadium. The athletics competition will take place at
Engenhão.
* * * * *
It is very easy
to reach Maracanã by subway. On Sunday the stadium was half full. The subway
ride was confortable and without any problem. As the stadium is used on a
regular basis for football matches, there is a lot of experience how to deal
with big masses going there and leaving from there.
* * * * *
During the
rehearsal we were asked many times not to take pictures or make videos, so that
we don’t spoil the surprise. Unfortunately lots of people did not follow this
recommendation.
* * * * *
I was very
worried about what I was going to see. I feared that once again the organisers
would fall into the temptation to picture Brazil as a country of samba and
football, or similar clichés. Brazil is much more than just samba and football,
and I was gladly surprised with what I saw.
* * * * *
I will not spoil
the surprise and tell you how the Opening Ceremony will be. I can only say that
it was simple, but very creative and beautiful. It explored Rio’s natural
beauty to talk about ecology; it showed Brazil’s local and immigrant roots; it
captured in a touching way Rio’s way of life and relationship with art, in
particular music; and it was also about diversity. The choice of songs was
particularly happy and I guess it will touch the feelings of people around the
world, not only Brazilians. In one word, it is going to be a great show!
* * * * *
The big
surprise, that was not unveiled, is how the Olympic Flame will be lit. As there
isn’t an Olympic Stadium, the decision was to have the Olympic Flame downtown,
in front of Candelaria Church, on the Olympic Boulevard. It will be the first
time that the flame is not in the stadium. Let’s see how they do it on Friday!
Wish you enjoy
the Opening Ceremony,
Maurício
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