Thousands of spectators are flocking each evening to Milan's historic Arch of Peace to witness a breathtaking sound-and-light spectacle centred around the Olympic cauldron, a highlight rapidly emerging as a defining feature of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The cauldron, dramatically suspended beneath the Arco della Pace, draws inspiration from the intricate knot patterns and geometric studies of Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci.
A Spectacle of Light and Sound
The crowd falls silent as the four-minute show commences, with phones raised to capture the interplay of engineering, coloured light, and an original soundtrack composed by Roberto Cacciapaglia, who also scored the opening ceremony. The Olympic flame is encased within a glass and metal core, while the surrounding structure expands from just over 3 meters to 4.5 meters, animating Leonardo's designs in a final flourish of pulsating elliptical lights that reflect and amplify the eternal flame.
Historical and Artistic Connections
The location is rich with historical significance. The Arch of Peace was erected to commemorate Napoleon's expulsion of Austro-Hungarian rulers, with Sforza Castle perfectly framed in the background. Leonardo da Vinci spent nearly 25 years in Milan, where he painted The Last Supper, designed the famed canal system, and worked within Sforza Castle, which is now displaying a long-hidden wall and ceiling painting to Olympic visitors.
An identical cauldron is also suspended on a specially built tripod in the main square of host city Cortina d'Ampezzo, where the same show is held six times nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.
Public Reaction and Emotional Impact
Giulia Orlando, a student from Florence, expressed the emotional resonance of the event. "It was very emotional, like even the music choice was very inspiring. Just seeing a lot of people here together just to see the light show was a joyful vibe, you know what I mean? Everybody together," said Orlando, who enjoyed absorbing the Olympic mood and spotting athletes around Milan, even without attending a competitive event.
Engineering and Sustainability
The cauldrons were engineered by the Fincantieri shipyard but manufactured with aeronautical aluminium in the United Kingdom to prevent design leaks before their unveiling, according to Marco Balich, who led the cauldron project and produced the opening ceremony. Sustainability was a key concern, with deliberately small receptacles to reduce gas consumption required to keep the Olympic flame lit.
Balich described the creations as "experiential objects," adding, "we made something that has a life, has a spectacle attached to it, an emotional spectacle."
Future of the Cauldrons
While Paris continues to display its 2024 Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens during summer months, Balich confirmed no such plans have yet been made for Milan or Cortina. "I would really hope this object that represents so much can be kept as a memory of this very beautiful moment," Balich stated, highlighting the desire to preserve this symbol of the Games.
