(Il testo seguente è tratto integralmente dalla nota stampa inviata all’Agenzia Opinione) –
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FIGURE SKATING: A CULTURAL STAGE AT MILANO CORTINA 2026
On the Olympic ice, athletes from around the world are transforming their performances into a vibrant tribute to Italian culture. Their programs trace a journey through centuries of history, art, music, and cinema, a cultural narrative that which will culminate in the Closing Ceremony at the Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an eternal symbol of Italian identity.
Milan, February 18, 2026 – Many of this Olympic season’s figure skating programs draw inspiration from defining chapters of Italian heritage. From Ancient Rome to the Renaissance, from opera to cinema, and from classical masterpieces to contemporary pop and rock music, the ice becomes a stage where Italy’s cultural legacy is reinterpreted through movement.
The Japanese pair Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi bring the epic power of Ancient Rome to the rink, skating to the music of Gladiator, creating a bridge between antiquity and present day. French skater Adam Siao Him Fa dedicates his entire program to the Renaissance: Leonardo da Vinci in the short program and Michelangelo in the free skating. His choreography even evokes the famous scene of the Creation of Adam, with “Adam’s outstretched hand receiving life from God.”
Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini bring the famous notes of Volare to the rink, a song that has become a global emblem of Italy. Isabeau Levito pays tribute to Sophia Loren, a postwar cinema icon. Meanwhile, Matteo Rizzo chooses the orchestral version of Damiano David’s “Silverlines,” connecting the Italian musical tradition with its most contemporary expression. Several athletes also honor Italy’s great composers: Ennio Morricone to Ezio Bosso, and Nino Rota. Their music, chosen by athletes from around the world, reaffirm the universal power of “Made in Italy”.
The Legend of Romeo and Juliet
Just steps from the Arena di Verona, host of the Closing Ceremony on 22 February, stands the most famous balcony in the world. It’s no surprise that several athletes have chosen to reinterpret the story of Romeo and Juliet. Swedish Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov perform to Nino Rota’s “Un Giorno Per Noi,” while other athletes perform versions from Prokofiev’s ballet or the 2013 contemporary cinematic adaptation. These performances create an evocative link between the city of Verona to the Olympic ice.
Opera, cinema, and Italian music: a heritage that lives on ice
Italian opera takes center stage, with song choices ranging from Dalla to contemporary soundtracks. Japanese skater Kagiyama Yuma chooses the new finale of Turandot, while Daniel Grassl builds his free program around pieces from the film Conclave, evoking solemn atmospheres and deep narrative tones. His performance evokes the solemn and mysterious atmosphere of a papal election, drawing inspiration on the thousand-year history of Vatican City. The program adds a spiritual and institutional dimension to the broader narrative, demonstrating how Italian culture inspires not only through art and music, but also through its rituals, traditions and history.
A journey leading to the Arena di Verona
Together, these performances create a cultural thread running through the Olympic competitions, a journey that leads to the Closing Ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. In the extraordinary setting of the Arena di Verona, a symbol of Italian history and our ability to unite tradition and innovation, the Games will reach their final chapter. Along the way, the athletes become ambassadors of Italian culture, transforming each performance into a collective story, a tribute to Italianness that resonates far beyond the rink and speaks to the world.
