PREVIEW OF THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 30TH SUMMER UNIVERSIADE NAPOLI 2019

Milan, 10th June 2019 – The biggest Italian event of 2019 will take place in Naples thanks to the team that has produced many unforgettable Olympic Ceremonies.

On 3rd July at 9 PM, Naples will be at the center of the world with the Opening Ceremony of the 30th Summer Universiade at the San Paolo Stadium, renovated for this occasion.

The Ceremony will be broadcast worldwide. A few tickets for the live show are still available on the official website: universiade2019napoli.vivaticket.it

Created and produced by Balich Worldwide Shows, with more than 1000 performers and renowned talents on stage to celebrate the university athletes from all over the world.

Marco Balich - Artistic Director and Executive Producer already known for the success of over 20 Olympic Ceremonies, from Turin 2006 to Rio 2016, and for the Tree of Life created for Expo Milano 2015 and "Giudizio Universale", the first Italian permanent show in Rome – is the Creative Director of the Ceremonies of the 30th Summer Universiade.

Lida Castelli, Artistic and Creative Director of Balich Worldwide Shows, former Artistic Director of the Americas Cup World Series Ceremony in 2013 in Naples, she is the first woman in the world to have directed a Paralympic Ceremony: Lida in fact has directed the Closing Ceremony of Sochi 2014. Today she is in charge of the Direction and Artistic Direction of the Opening Ceremony of Naples 2019 and introduces the concept.

The "U" of the Universiade logo represents a big hug, inside the stadium, with two huge arms extended towards the 8000 university athletes from 127 countries, which will invade the city of Naples.

Then the San Paolo Stadium, that seems like the Gulf of Naples, becomes a great place of welcome and cultural liveliness.

The first segment features Mariafelicia Carraturo, a Neapolitan world record freediver, who plays an enchanting mermaid to tell the myth of Partenope, the goddess of ancient "Neapolis", bringing the sea to invade the field of play.

The stage subsequently turns into a hyper-technological postcard, with a three-dimensional Vesuvius for the tribute segments to the athletes from all over the world and to Italy, with two women full of charisma, strength and bravery: Malika Ayane, one of the most eclectic and appreciated singer of the Italian scene and Bebe Vio, university student, Paralympic gold medalist and symbol of Italy.

The famous fresco of the "Paestum’s diver", represents the union between past and present, sport and culture, it is the subject of one of the most spectacular moments that reproduces the image in a breathtaking scene.

The music of Anastasio, 22 years old student and Neapolitan rapper, winner of the last Italian edition of X Factor, will echo the voice of the new generations, lighting up the "fire of knowledge" while hundreds of judokas, some of them coming from the Gianni Maddaloni’s sport center in Scampia, will perform illustrating the sports disciplines in competition.

The time has come to declare the 30th Summer Universiade open.

Go Napoli 2019!

Balich Worldwide Shows S.r.l.

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