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Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games will celebrate the amazing Paralympic athletes with a spectacular Closing Ceremony. Lida Castelli, Artistic Director and Director, is among the few women to lead the artistic direction team of an Olympic Ceremony. Marco Balich, at his third Ceremony in Sochi, is the Executive Producer. Pictures of the Closing Ceremony: https://share.agencyroad.com/message/gdP8EfXKx9ynueBrxCcv7g
Video of the Closing Ceremony countdown: https://share.agencyroad.com/message/Dn8B2y0oTmAAMTx1y9d4ZV
“Reaching the Impossible”, the Paralympic Closing Ceremony to be performed at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium on Sunday March 16th, will be a spectacular finale to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, one of the most successful ever. The thrilling show is titled “Reaching the Impossible" and will celebrate the magnificent achievements of the Paralympic athletes, who have shown the world the impossible is possible through strength of spirit and a relentless pursuit of sporting victory. The Direction has been assigned to the Italian Lida Castelli -‐ Artistic Director and Director of Sochi 2014 Paralympic Closing Ceremony -‐ among the few women worldwide to lead the artistic direction team of a Games’ Ceremony. Once Again, Marco Balich, the renowned Italian Olympic Producer and Creative Director of worldwide large-‐
scale events, will lead the Executive Production team of Sochi 2014 Paralympic Closing Ceremony. After being Artistic Executive Producer of Sochi 2014 Olympic Closing Ceremony and Executive Producer of Sochi 2014 Paralympic Opening Ceremony. During the Press Conference at Sochi Main Media Center held this morning, Lida Castelli said “In developing the creative concept for the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, we wanted to show that dreams can be achieved, that with strength, passion and a change of perception IMPOSSIBLE can become I'M POSSIBLE.” Lida Castelli continued “We start with the geometric shapes of abstract art and classic video games, travel to a wondrous world of bubbles and snow, and end with a joyous finale in celebration of the incredible athletes who've made the Games so memorable. I hope you enjoy the journey to 'Reaching the Impossible’. Marco Balich, Executive Producer of the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, added “As Executive Producer of the 3rd Sochi 2014 Games Ceremonies, I am very proud to have guided an international team of hundred of talented professionals to create and produce such beautiful and exciting shows each of them celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic spirits and sport values.” Lida Castelli can count on a significant experience as Artistic Director of stadium shows olympic ceremonies. The extraordinary key creative and production team is composed by: Konstantin Ernst, Chief Creative Director, Doug Jack, Associate Artistic Director, Matteo Oioli, Set & Props Designer, Kenrick Sandy, Choreographer, Gianmaria Serra, Co-‐Executive Producer. Aleksey Chuvashev, a rowing Paralympian and medalist at London 2012 will be a central hero of the Ceremony. Demonstrating the wonders of strength and courage, during a section of the Ceremony he will climb a rope with only his hands to a height of 15 meters. To the backdrop of the music by Russian composer Alfred Schnittke, the Ceremony will be opened by memorable choreographed pieces performed by members of the Russian Wheelchair Dance Sport Federation together with trapeze artists in distinctive illuminated costumes, who form abstract shapes in the air. This segment is produced by the creative duo of Konstantin Vasiliev, coach of world and European champions in wheelchair dance sport, and Phil Hayes, world-‐renowned aerial choreographer. A key theme in the buildup and staging of the Paralympic Winter Games, the Closing Ceremony will once again showcase the principle of inclusiveness in action. Among the top performers on the night will be renowned tenor Jose Carreras, Russian singers Nafset Chenib and Diana Gurtskaya, conductor Aleksey Petrov, pianist Oleg Akkuratov and a dance troupe of 210 Cossacks directed by a choreographer Nikolay Kubar. Over 460 artists, who for the past months have been working hard rehearsing, will take part in the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. The Closing Ceremony will be broadcast live in Italy on RaiSport2, from 5 to 7,25 pm (Italian Time), while a summary of the event will be broadcast on Raitre channel from 00,20 am to 1,20 am. Notes to the Editor The Autonomous Non-‐commercial Organization "Ceremonies Staging Agency" is a legal body founded by the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee. The Agency is responsible for providing the most effective implementation of measures for the organization and staging of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2014 Games in Sochi in accordance with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. Konstantin Ernst, Head Creative Director General Director of Channel One, producer of more than 300 large-‐scale TV projects, producer and co-‐author of the largest film projects, including the blockbusters "Day Watch," "Night Watch," and many others. Recipient of numerous professional awards. Creative director of the 2009 Eurovision contest, recognized by the European Broadcasting Union as the best in the contest's history. Andrei Nasonovsky, Executive Producer and General Director Executive Producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi, General Director of the Ceremonies Staging Agency, responsible for the creative concept, organization and staging of the Ceremonies. Nasonovsky has dozens of large-‐scale events in Russia and abroad under his belt, in which he acted as producer. The level of the show, prepared under his direction, is marked by high evaluations from world-‐class experts as well as a number of professional awards. Marco Balich, Executive Producer Marco Balich has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. As art director and executive producer, he has been a part of many large-‐scale events and ceremonies around the world, set and prepared an entire range of shows, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Torino, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the UEFA Euro 2012, and the Handover Ceremony of the Olympic and Paralympic flags to the city of Rio de Janeiro at the Games in London. Lida Castelli, Artistic Director Lida has worked as the artistic director of many major events, including the Handover Ceremony of the Olympic flag in Torino at the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City (2002); Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Torino (2006) and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Torino (2006), the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the XVI Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the UEFA Euro 2012. Doug Jack, Associate Production Director A world-‐known associate production director, an Emmy winner. He directed 50 international performances, set in stadiums all over the world. Among the major sporting events directed by Doug there are the ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Salt Lake City (2002), Athens (2004), Torino (2006), the ceremonies of Commonwealth Games in England and India, the shows of Pan-‐American Games in the United States and Brazil, as well as seven shows of the U.S. Super Bowl semifinals. For further info: Press Office Manager -‐ Silvia Giorgi +39 342 7801985 – [email protected] Strategic Communications Advisor – Fabrizia Greppi +39 340 2194841 – [email protected] About Balich Worldwide Shows S.r.l.
Balich Worldwide Shows designs, creates and produces large-scale events, Olympic Ceremonies, permanent shows and innovative formats.
It is a newly established partnership-based Company, located in Milan (Italy) while operating at worldwide level. Led by Marco Balich, who is
considered one of the most prominent figures in the production of Olympic Ceremonies, the Company has been joined by operating partners
with almost 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Balich Worldwide Shows conveys dreams and emotions by creating and
producing the most prestigious live shows in the world.
Marco Balich is currently Artistic Director of Italian Pavilion/Expo 2015, Executive Producer of Sochi 2014 Paralympic Opening and Closing
Ceremonies and Executive Producer of Rio 2016 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Please find more info and credits at www.balichws.com and follow us on Twitter @balichws .