The closing ceremony performance, under the theme "Records", will take place on the afternoon of August 11 at the Stade de France. Like the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony is created and directed by renowned French director Thomas Jolly, Xinhua reports.
To avoid possible instability, rehearsals will take place at a location about an hour's drive from Paris. The organizing committee selected a spacious and secret location and built a stage the same size as the one that would be used for the closing ceremony.
Rehearsals are held outdoors at night to simulate the conditions on the day of the closing ceremony. Journalists noted that during rehearsals, all accompanying music was not played through the speakers; instead, performers wore headphones. Staff members explained that this was all for "the secret."
In an exclusive interview at the rehearsal venue, Jolly stated that the idea of the closing ceremony show will be significantly different from that of the opening ceremony, as it will use various artistic forms to tell an "imaginary story about the Olympic Games." .
"After two intense weeks of competitions, the emotions of the athletes will be different. We hope to provide all athletes and spectators with an immersive experience. Before enjoying the final joy and relaxation, we will take everyone back to the origins of the Olympic Games in a unique way and then look to the future together," said Jolly.
As a talented French theater director and actor, Jolly is particularly adept at interpreting and transforming historical dramas. At the age of 33, he won France's highest theatrical honor, the Prix Moliere, for his 18-hour play "Henry VI."
Jolly explained that in this performance he designed a scenario in which, at some point in the future, when the Olympic Games had disappeared, their relics would be discovered and the Olympic movement would be revived.
"This inspiration comes from the history of the Olympic movement. The ancient Olympic Games once existed but then disappeared, only to be revived more than a hundred years ago by Pierre de Coubertin and others," Jolly said.
"Every Olympic Games comes to an end and the Olympic flame will go out at that moment. This moment reminds us of the value of the Olympic Games, but also its fragility, especially since we live in a fragile world. Therefore, this joyous moment It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of the Olympic Games in our society," Jolly explained.
The entire performance of the closing ceremony will last about 40 minutes and more than one hundred artists will participate. In addition to the performance, traditional activities such as the entry of athlete delegations and the presentation of the Olympic flag will also take place during the closing ceremony.
"The Olympic closing ceremony is very important for us. It is a moment of farewell, but also a moment of joy. I have seen Jolly's creativity and it is wonderful. I hope this performance will be a highlight of the closing ceremony." said Tony Estanguet, president of the organizing committee.
What was shown to journalists that day was only a part of the entire performance. Due to confidentiality regarding costumes and scenery, all participants dressed in black. Within minutes, the performers demonstrated rehearsed dance moves and acrobatic performances, all performed on a circular steel structure symbolizing the "Olympic relics."
These artists will continue rehearsing for 12 consecutive days. Afterwards, the director's team will focus again on rehearsals for the opening ceremony on the Seine River. The final rehearsal of the closing ceremony will take place after the official start of the Paris Olympic Games on July 27.
The Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11.
To avoid possible instability, rehearsals will take place at a location about an hour's drive from Paris. The organizing committee selected a spacious and secret location and built a stage the same size as the one that would be used for the closing ceremony.
Rehearsals are held outdoors at night to simulate the conditions on the day of the closing ceremony. Journalists noted that during rehearsals, all accompanying music was not played through the speakers; instead, performers wore headphones. Staff members explained that this was all for "the secret."
In an exclusive interview at the rehearsal venue, Jolly stated that the idea of the closing ceremony show will be significantly different from that of the opening ceremony, as it will use various artistic forms to tell an "imaginary story about the Olympic Games." .
"After two intense weeks of competitions, the emotions of the athletes will be different. We hope to provide all athletes and spectators with an immersive experience. Before enjoying the final joy and relaxation, we will take everyone back to the origins of the Olympic Games in a unique way and then look to the future together," said Jolly.
As a talented French theater director and actor, Jolly is particularly adept at interpreting and transforming historical dramas. At the age of 33, he won France's highest theatrical honor, the Prix Moliere, for his 18-hour play "Henry VI."
Jolly explained that in this performance he designed a scenario in which, at some point in the future, when the Olympic Games had disappeared, their relics would be discovered and the Olympic movement would be revived.
"This inspiration comes from the history of the Olympic movement. The ancient Olympic Games once existed but then disappeared, only to be revived more than a hundred years ago by Pierre de Coubertin and others," Jolly said.
"Every Olympic Games comes to an end and the Olympic flame will go out at that moment. This moment reminds us of the value of the Olympic Games, but also its fragility, especially since we live in a fragile world. Therefore, this joyous moment It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of the Olympic Games in our society," Jolly explained.
The entire performance of the closing ceremony will last about 40 minutes and more than one hundred artists will participate. In addition to the performance, traditional activities such as the entry of athlete delegations and the presentation of the Olympic flag will also take place during the closing ceremony.
"The Olympic closing ceremony is very important for us. It is a moment of farewell, but also a moment of joy. I have seen Jolly's creativity and it is wonderful. I hope this performance will be a highlight of the closing ceremony." said Tony Estanguet, president of the organizing committee.
What was shown to journalists that day was only a part of the entire performance. Due to confidentiality regarding costumes and scenery, all participants dressed in black. Within minutes, the performers demonstrated rehearsed dance moves and acrobatic performances, all performed on a circular steel structure symbolizing the "Olympic relics."
These artists will continue rehearsing for 12 consecutive days. Afterwards, the director's team will focus again on rehearsals for the opening ceremony on the Seine River. The final rehearsal of the closing ceremony will take place after the official start of the Paris Olympic Games on July 27.
The Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11.
