XXX NAPOLI UNIVERSIADE Opening Ceremony

“The biggest Italian event of 2019 took place at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples with the 30th Summer Universiade Napoli 2019 Opening Ceremony. With more than 800 performers and great talents, the Ceremony celebrated 6,000 university athletes from 119 countries around the world.
A hyper technological postcard projected into the future thanks to led and laser lights. Inspired by the natural shape of the Gulf, the creative concept identified the “U” of the Universiade logo as an embrace aimed at welcoming athletes to the center of the stadium. The Gulf and the Vesuvius, water and fire, represented the main elements of the scenic staging.
The representative element of the Gulf of Naples reproduced the concept of an open city, welcoming those arriving from the sea, with a spirit of exchange and acceptance, in order to convey a message of peace and dialogue between populations. Therefore, a part dedicated to peace was included in the Universiade Opening Ceremony, as usual as in every Olympic Ceremony. For the parade, the athletes entered the Stadium led by the placard bearers with the names of the  nations represented. Among the people entrusted with the role of placard bearers, there were also 40 migrants.
On stage, great talents of Italian sports, culture and music celebrated Naples and Campania in a live show that involved Malika Ayane and Bebe Vio for the tribute segment to Italy and Iaia Forte to celebrate the Neapolitan culture. Many Italian singers were the protagonists with their musical performances until Andrea Bocelli’s grand finale.
In the end, the cauldron was lit by an amazing fiery ball kicked by Lorenzo Insigne, football player of Napoli and Italy National team. Therefore, President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella declared the 30th Summer Universiade finally open. Viva Napoli 2019!” (balichws website)