As the Artistic Director for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Thomas Jolly is taking on the unique challenges that come with hosting the event in the heart of the city. The Seine, the iconic river that runs through Paris, will serve as the backdrop for the ceremony, offering an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate the Games with the people.
Jolly’s vision for the ceremony is to showcase France’s diversity and the richness of its history, which has been shaped by the many cultures that have passed through it. “First of all, I’d like to show France in all its diversity. Illustrate the richness and plurality shaped by its history, which has been influenced and inspired by the diverse cultures that have passed through it, while itself serving as a source of inspiration,” he says.
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The Opening Ceremony also serves as a snapshot of the world on a specific day, July 26, 2024. Jolly wants to use this opportunity to celebrate our shared humanity while acknowledging the challenges we currently face. “So I want this to be an opportunity for us to look at each other and celebrate our shared humanity, while taking into account the issues we currently have to face,” he explains.
Creating a show of this magnitude comes with its own set of challenges, from dealing with the current of the river to protecting the heritage and adjusting the scenario to the reality of the river. Jolly also has to be mindful of the budget, the fish spawning, and the sunlight, which will be his main light source. “Every day I face the challenge of multiple technical constraints, but what show doesn’t have those? Creating a show is about matching dreams and reality,” he says.
Despite the challenges, Jolly is determined to create a ceremony that lives up to the event itself and celebrates the return of the Olympic Games to Paris after a century-long wait. With his vision and dedication, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is sure to be a celebration of our shared humanity and a testament to the power of sport to bring people together.