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.
Opening ceremony of Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics to feature contemporary art: director
Opening ceremony of Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics to feature contemporary art: director
The Japanese society should do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression and adhere to the pacifist constitution, said Shiradori Hiroshi, a professor of the Hosei University, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo on April 30.
He said the government's recent move to discuss revising the three security documents deserve particular attention as the country's foreign and security policies have already witnessed major changes.
"People outside of the country hold that Japan's post-war image as a 'peace state' is now facing a major shift. Against the backdrop of tremendous changes in its foreign and security policies, the revision of the three security documents deserves particular attention. There lacks public debate in terms of the procedure, with policy changes decided unilaterally at Cabinet meetings. It is necessary to fully explain to the public as to whether such a practice is proper," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government held its first expert panel meeting to discuss revisions to the three security documents at the Prime Minister's Office on April 27, local media reported.
Japan's current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, were designed to cover the next 10 years, but the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to move up the timetable to accelerate the revision process.
Increasing defense spending is one of the key topics of the meeting, according to Kyodo News.
Hiroshi said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials, and the Japanese society must do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression in WWII, when it brought enormous catastrophes on Asian countries.
"Eighty years have passed since the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Japan inflicted enormous suffering on Asian countries during WWII, which should serve as an opportunity for the soul-searching. It is exact on the basis of countless sacrifices that Japan's post-war pacifism and its identity as a 'peace state' took shape. On this 80th anniversary, it is necessary for Japan to re-examine and do soul-searching regarding its history," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government's effort to revise the pacifist constitution is widely opposed by the public.
On Sunday, around 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, chanting slogans and holding banners against the government's push for constitutional revision and military expansion, the largest turnout of its kind in recent years.
Japan should adhere to pacifist constitution: scholar
