It was a very special idea. Instead of being limited to one stage, the Opening Ceremony to take us through Paris, with a floating parade along the Seine, with 10,500 athletes and 300,000 spectators. But the impression it left – and the comments in the traditional media and on social networks – were mixed.
The introduction with the entry of the Greek mission and the closing with the sensational Celine Dion and the altar – a hot air balloon that will keep the Olympic Flame lit throughout the Games were some of the moments that stood out, alongside big names in sport.
The Opening Ceremony had lots of music, dancing, theatrical acts, impressive effects. And it was full of images of a magical Paris and some very touching moments. But at 4 hours long, in many places it was tiring and in others it seemed… amateurish, incoherent and boring, predictably “provocative” to the point of blatant. If inclusion or even a sly wink were the goal, it failed. Because that too requires measure, design, aesthetics.
The characterizations “kitsch”, “I woke up in bad taste”, “blatantly obscene and irreverent, but a victim of disgusting and extremely boring political correctness”which we found in French, British, American and other foreign media outlets – as well as on social media platforms – reveal that many of the organizers’ ideas did not work. If there was one thing that was noticeably missing from the Opening Ceremony in the City of Lights it was a clear identity.
Disparate elements, disorderly thrown into a spectacle that, regardless of intentions, it was often ugly. This city with its great history and culture can be the best setting for a modern party. He finally got lost behind the excess of rhinestones, sequins and kitsch figures.
The french without a doubt they dared – let’s acknowledge that for them. And they gave us an unforgettable graduation ceremony, for some of the right reasons, but also for all of the wrong reasons.
If you’re one of those who didn’t watch it, you can check out a taste of the videos and photos below:
Of vision and emotion
Not unnecessarily woke and kitschy