In French, the word for stage, “scène,” sounds exactly like the name of the river that runs through Paris – The Seine. This intriguing connection was one of the aspects that drew director Thomas Jolly to the idea of creating an opening ceremony that would float through the heart of Paris.
Over the past two years, the Seine has transformed into Jolly’s workroom, presenting challenges unique to most theater directors: navigating currents and wind tunnels, accommodating a vulnerable fish hatchery, and orchestrating the passage of thousands of athletes in boats, all while ensuring the security of the event with 45,000 police officers stationed around. Regular consultations with the French president and Paris mayor have also been essential.
As the artistic director overseeing all four Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies, Jolly enjoys privileges that many directors can only dream of, including a substantial budget of nearly $150 million and a dedicated workforce of over 15,000 individuals comprising dancers and musicians. The event is expected to draw a live audience of half a million spectators and reach a television viewership of 1.5 billion.
If Jolly successfully executes this ambitious vision, it will mark the first time an opening ceremony unfolds outside the confines of a traditional stadium. The Seine has not hosted such a grand celebration in 285 years, since King Louis XV commemorated the marriage of his daughter to the prince of Spain.
Time-lapse video of a boat rehearsal for the opening Olympic ceremony on the Seine:
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| By Dmitry Kostyukov |
