Planners Mum on "Wistful" Closing Ceremony

(ATR) It is no surprise that the Closing Ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Olympics will showcase Russian culture, but it will also poke a little fun at the Olympic rings malfunction at the Opening Ceremony.

Creative director Konstantin Ernst peeled off his jacket at a press conference to proudly display a T-shirt with four Olympic rings and the sunflower that refused to open on Feb. 7.

"I’m not going to reveal any secrets yet," he said with a smile.

Ernst did disclose that while the Opening Ceremony was like a movie "blockbuster," the Closing Ceremony at Fisht Stadium on Sunday night will have more of an "art house" feel.

"There’s not as much flying scenery," Ernst said, "although we’re going to have that as well."

The difference will mainly be in tone.

"The Opening Ceremony triggered the 17 days of intensive effort, ambitions and victories," Ernst said. "The Closing Ceremony should be imbued with an optimistic wistfulness because this is the end of a great process. This is when your Olympic Games become part of history. Some people have triumphed. Some have been defeated. Nevertheless, we all feel as one."

Unlike the first show, which also featured a whopping dose of Russian history and culture, this time it will be seen through the eyes of a European, renowned director Daniele Finzi Pasca of Italy.

"The Moscow public adores his productions," said Ernst, noting that his staging of a Chekhov play drew standing ovations throughout Moscow.Finzi Pasca called Russia "an incredible enigma."

"It’s difficult to convey the simple character, the heroes of Russia, the people who have suffered defeat and gained victories," said Finzi Pasca, whose muse is his wife, Julie Hamelin Finzi.

The production will include a choir of 1,000 children from 82 regions of Russia.

"We wanted to emphasize that the Olympic Games are over," Ernst said. "This is the end of the winter and the next season is spring and children are the precursors of spring."

Veteran ceremonies producers Marco Balich and Scott Givens are also part of the creative group.

Asked if pre-recorded material will be used if there is a problem similar to the sunflower snafu, Ernst said, "We are not going to use any pre-recorded material to broadcast in Russia."

However, he said the use of the pre-recorded material in the Opening Ceremony broadcast was never a secret.

Written by Karen Rosen

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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