The big show on the Seine: “Long live the Olympic Games!”

The world has never seen anything like it. The metropolis of Paris opened the Summer Games with the most spectacular and pompous celebration in Olympic history. Many of the estimated 320,000 fans – mostly on the banks of the Seine, spread across 124 stands – braved the heavy rain and cheered on the 6,800 athletes and 206 delegations “dancing” across the river in around 180 boats. And not only them. The mega show was both a sporting event and artistic highlight.

Image: AFP/Dunand

“}”>

The refugee team under the Olympic flag
Image: AFP/Dunand

Everything had to be perfect – with 1800 costumes and 200 days of rehearsal invested. 40 actors brought great personalities from the history of the Grande Nation to life in an animation with the popular yellow cartoon characters Minions suddenly appeared the famous Mona Lisa from the water. In reality, the unsaleable oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci (value 843 million euros) in the safe haven of the Louvre.

Lady Gaga performed – surrounded by pink plush feathers and golden steps – live or pre-recorded (?) with her ensemble on the Pont de Sully, she performed French classics (such as “Mon truc en plumes” by Zizi Jeanmaire) sang without an accent and played the piano.