Milan Cortina, Mattarella in tram for San Siro opening ceremony

An all-Italian surprise at the Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina: there is a Sergio Mattarella 'actor' for an evening that officially brings the Olympics back to Italia 20 years after the Turin Olympics. The original presidential cameo was, however, spoiled a few hours before the kick-off, detracting a little from the effect without affecting the taste too much. Because it is certainly not common to see the Chief of State, in front of the two billion TV viewers around the world, with a scenic gimmick, landing at San Siro on the historic means of transport of the Lombard capital, the yellow tram, no. 26, a tribute to the Olympic year, after a journey as a simple citizen, among ordinary travelling companions, orchestral musicians from La Scala and athletes on skis: the identity remains hidden, then a soft toy on the ground picked up by the President himself reveals it to the public

The exceptional driver in a tram driver's outfit is an excellent Italian, the 'Mago' driving Valentino Rossi. And there is applause and stadium cheering, because the first widespread Games pay homage to the country: and if the beating heart beats in Milan, in Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo there is the whole Alpine arc that opens up to the world and reveals beauty and heritage. Ancient and modern history, cuisine, fashion: there is no Italian sphere that the great kermesse of Marco Balich does not touch and celebrate. And before Mattarella, from fiction to reality, goes to sit in the authorities' gallery with the president of the IOC, Kirsty Coventry, with the stadium turning tricolour for the tribute to the Italian flag and then to Giorgio Armani, the first scenes of the ceremony are a tribute to beauty (by Antonio Canova) and to Harmony, the show's leitmotif.

In front of fifty or so heads of state, with JD Vance, booed by the San Siro crowd, cheering on the USA and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres's call for peace, the Inter and Milan stadium is transformed into a living museum, showcases with Amore e Psiche between art and technology. There is white and silver, then music. The classical one with the great masters Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioacchino Rossini: the protagonist here is the actress Matilda De Angelis, in blonde Marylin, conductor for an evening. And harmony is celebrated. In the roundup of characters there is also a pop tribute to Raffaella Carrà on the notes of "a far l'amore..." and the stadium dances.

Seamlessly the highest register is mixed with the popular one: Mariah Carey appears, performing In the Blue Painted Blue. With Mattarella entering the grandstand of world celebrities greeted by a roar from the audience, the flag is celebrated. And the notes of the Italia anthem sung by Laura Pausini, in black between two tricolour wings, rise. Applause. Then the voice of Francesco Favino bursts in with Leopardi's Infinito. Milan and Cortina connected, the five golden circles dominated the scene: it was the athletes' turn, parading in the first widespread parade, from Greece to Italia, which closed as the host country with Arianna Fontana and Federico Pellegrino leading the delegation of 70 Azzurri at the San Siro. In between there is the whole world, even those where snow and cold are not a tradition: Jamaica (much applauded), Guinea, Haiti, Albania with Italy's Lara Colturi. The Philippines with Abetone's Francis Ceccarelli from Tuscany, polite Japan who also paraded with Italy's flags, lukewarm welcome to the small delegation from Iran, whistles to Israel, roar and applause for Ukraine.

Snow-formed Brazil does not give up capoeira and enters dancing. Peace, in a world torn by wars, after the appeals for a truce (renewed again by Pope Leo) is sealed by the verses of Promemoria by Gianni Rodari recited by Ghali, after the controversy over the anthem not being sung by the Milanese artist. And controversy broke out on social media, since the rapper's performance was not announced by reporters. Many women, Charlize Theron sending a message inspired by Nelson Mandela. The world of the future is shown in the hands of Samantha Cristoforetti. The voice of Andrea Bocelli accompanies the flame, which leaves the San Siro after a relay race between great athletes. The highlight with the simultaneous lighting of the braziers, Arco della Pace and Piazza Dibona: show and magic of the Games, made of elegance, beauty and genius made in Italy.