Paralympics Rio 2016 - Paralympics Opening & Closing Ceremony

What

Opening & Closing Ceremony

Concept

The show is built on the concept of 'More with Less,' with courage, determination, inspiration, and equality taking center stage: the values upon which the Paralympic movement is founded.

How

16 world-famous Brazilian stars and 2000 volunteer performers, counting more than 6 months of indoor and outdoor rehearsal to prepare a 3-hour show. A team of more than 100 professionals from all over the world, almost 1000 volunteer for the production.

Paralympic Opening Ceremony

Everyone Has a Heart

The event that marked the beginning of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, organized by Filmmaster, captured the attention of the entire world. With a blend of emotion, artistic talent, and a clear message of inclusion, João Carlos Martins performs on the piano, delicately playing the national anthem while the Brazilian flag proudly waves. The ceremony reaches its pinnacle with a meaning and message that extend beyond, through a massive puzzle conceived by artist Vik Muniz, where each nation brings a puzzle piece, with their country's name on one side and the faces of competing athletes on the other, coming together to create a pulsating heart, signifying: "everyone has a heart," the slogan that guided this ceremony.

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Emotional Moments

Celebrating Inclusion and Resilience

Two touching moments define the spectacle: when former athlete Marcia Malsar rises amidst applause from the crowd after falling during the passage of the Olympic torch, and when during the show, lights blinded the audience, urging them to rely on other senses, such as hearing. This is followed by an extraordinary representation of the five senses, choreographed to the rhythm of music, showcasing the fundamental tools to support the independence of disabled individuals, emphasizing how little is needed for them to live without barriers.

Paralympic Closing Ceremony

Songs, Dances, and Musical Performances

The closing ceremony of the XV edition of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, realized by Filmmaster, took place in a packed Maracanã. The event celebrated diversity as an essential value of human life, with numerous Brazilian artists performing on stage, including Gaby Amarantos, acclaimed by the audience. The Maracanã stadium hosted this vibrant closing ceremony, welcoming the athletes who participated in twelve days of intense Olympic competitions. The atmosphere was filled with songs, dances, and musical performances, paying homage to Brazilian music, its people, and its nature.

Tribute to the Brazilian People

Flag Handover to Tokyo 2020

As hundreds of flags with the word "love" written in all languages fluttered in the air, they closed the 15th edition of the Paralympic Games. During the ceremony, the prestigious "Paralympic Order" was conferred to the Brazilian people, the highest recognition for their support of the Paralympic Games. The mascot of the Rio 2016 Games bid farewell to the audience, while the flag was handed over to Tokyo 2020, which will host the next edition of the Paralympic Games.