Opening ceremony of Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics to feature contemporary art: director

China

Opening ceremony of Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics to feature contemporary art: director

2026-03-06 13:57 Last Updated At：15:07

The opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will celebrate the spirit of inclusiveness and the core values of the Paralympic Games in the language of creative and tech-supported contemporary art, according to the ceremonies director.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday at the Verona Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Verona, Italy.

Centered on themes of inclusion, participation, and emotional connection, the ceremony aims to convey the spirit of the Paralympics to a global audience through artistic expression.

"Titled 'Life in Motion,' the ceremony tells the stories of a progressing society, which is empowered by sport to bring about change. We will present this theme in a way that is distinct from any other ceremony, namely through art, contemporary art in particular. Contemporary art always has the power to break down barriers. It will guide us in celebrating the athletes, the spirit of sport, and the core values of the Paralympic Games," said Maria Laura Iascone, ceremonies director for Milano-Cortina 2026.

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympics hold historic significance as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Paralympic Winter Games and also sees the Games return to Italy for the second time, two decades after Torino 2006.

Tel Aviv residents shelter in underground stations amid missile sirens

Residents in Tel Aviv, Israel, are spending nights in underground rail stations, turning commuter platforms into makeshift shelters as sirens warn of missile strikes that could prove deadly if not intercepted.

One of Tel Aviv's largest light rail stations, a space typically filled with commuters, has now been transformed into a temporary shelter for civilians seeking safety.

Seeking relief from constant disruption, local residents have brought mattresses and daily supplies into Tel Aviv's underground stations, choosing to spend the night there rather than repeatedly rushing to shelters each time sirens warn of incoming missiles.

Sirens and loud blasts were heard in Tel Aviv before dawn on Thursday as the Israeli military announced that its air defense systems were working to intercept a missile attack from Iran.

The joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities starting on Feb 28, have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, some of his family members, top military commanders, and civilians. Iran responded through several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the region.