2007 Winter Universiade: Dazzling Opening Ceremony
January 17th, 2007
Magda Gomes
Today, January 17th, the 2007 Winter Universiade in Torino, Italy was officially opened with the traditional Opening Ceremony. The participants saw a dazzling show with acrobats, dancers and music at the PalaOlimpico. The evening began with an extraordinary “Princess of the Snow”, Magda Gomes, who, coming out from the center of a snowy mountain introduced the audience to a journey that joins Turin to the rest of the world through the student spirit of the Universiade. Immediately after, followed the delegations march of the 52 participating nations, a mingling of colours and cultures, followed by the speech of Giovanna Capellano Nebiolo, President of the Organizing Committee, and of FISU President George Killian. After the flag-raising ceremony and the hymns of Italy and of FISU, Livio Berruti, Turinese Champion of the 200 meters at the Olympic Games of Rome held in 1960 entered the PalaOlimpico. A run which concluded the tour of the ‘Flame of Knowledge’, lighting at the same time the braziers of the PalaOlimpico and of Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Former Olympian Livio Berruti
In order to supply the necessary ‘energy’ to the progress of the Universiade Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus goalkeeper and World Champion with the National Soccer Team, and Andrew Howe, European long jump Champion, tried “to connect the plug” causing a crack in the terrace that made the audience fall down in the centre of Turin thanks to wonderful plays of light and images. A choreography of dancers and gymnasts introduced then all the sports of the Universiade: from speed skating to cross-country skiing, from snowboard to alpine skiing, from figure skating to ice hockey and sledge hockey. All disciplines were brushed away with a big curling broom to make place for the illusionist Arturo Brachetti, who portrayed many characters through several transformations from an angel to a devil. Study, competition and fun met in a dance that ranged from classic music to hip hop and exploded in the shout of the Universiade Slogan “Crazy 4 U”. The ceremony ended with Negrita live music, which carried away the crowd in the PalaOlimpico with the famous “Rotolando verso Sud” (Rolling towards South).
Arturo Brachetti
Among the personalities present in the audience were the Minister for the University and Research Fabio Mussi, the President of the Piedmont Region Mercedes Bresso, the President of the Turin Province Antonio Saitta, the Mayor of the Municipality of Turin Sergio Chiamparino, the Sport Councillor of the Municipality of Turin Renato Montabone, The Olympic champion Sara Simeoni, the coach of the soccer team Torino Calcio Alberto Zaccheroni and the philosopher Gianni Vattimo. These were the words spoken by Andrew Howe at the end of the Opening Ceremony of the XXIII Edition of the Winter Universiade Torino 2007: “I’m truly honoured and proud of taking part in this Opening Ceremony. The Universiade is an international high level event, but most of all an event which gathers many youngsters full of emotions and human values. It is always a pleasure to come back to Turin as I really like the atmosphere of the City, even more during these events. I wish you this will be the most beautiful and successful Universiade ever held in Italy.”
President Killian's Opening Speech
President Killian's Opening Speech
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the city of Torino, Italy, home of the 23rd edition of the Winter Universiade and former home of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. The FISU Family, the athletes, coaches and administrators standing here before you tonight are honored and proud to be with you in Torino and look forward to performing their very best for you during the next ten days. Tonight is a very special night for all of us in the FISU Family. This being the home of our late beloved President and leader, Dr. Primo Nebiolo. I know how proud he would have been to share this evening with you. I would like to thank Mrs. Giovanna Nebiolo, wife of our late President who has graciously served as the Honorary Chairperson of the local Organising Committee here in Torino. Her efforts have been most appreciated by all. Thank you Giovanna for all your efforts and support of the 2007 Winter Universiade. I would like also to thank Dr. Riccardo D'Elicio, President of the local organising committee and his entire staff as well as Prof. Leonardo Coiana, President of the Italian University Student Sport Federation , better known as “CUSI” for all there efforts in making this 23rd Winter Universiade become a reality. On behalf of the entire FISU Family worldwide I would like to extend our best wishes to all of the competitors who came from the far reaches of the globe to take part in this Universiade. Thank you all for being here tonight to share this historic moment. I have know the pleasure to give to floor to FABIO MUSSI Minister of the Universities and Research, for the Opening of the Games.
Universiade and Olympic Champion Enrico Fabris, flagbearer for Italy
Show and Dance
(Photos: C. Pierre)
