A turquoise carpet in the Juvarra Grand Parterre, the eighteenth-century garden of the Reggia di Venaria, welcomed the forty delegations of the Eurovision Song Contest, officially kicking off the event with a royal parade of two hundred meters.
From the Citroniera to the Diana Gallery in the footsteps of history, to bring to the world the noble and universal message of music: that of peace invoked as much by the artists on the Turquoise Carpet as by the organizers and institutions present.
Gabriele Corsi, Mario Acampa and Carolina Di Domenico were conducting the ceremony in the Savoyard residence on the outskirts of Turin, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Acclaimed by the public, waving the flags of different countries, the artists parade in their original outfits: from Emma Muscat in the Greek goddess version, to the 'pirates' of Georgia, from the Norwegian 'yellow wolves' to the total red of the Spanish Chanel.
Among the most applauded Mahmood and Blanco, welcomed by a real ovation on the notes of Shivers, and Achille Lauro, competing for San Marino.
Among the favorites for the victory the Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine.
"It is very important for the culture of Ukraine to be seen, to show how identifiable it is, how unique it is", say the band members, who admit to perceiving them "a great expectation: this increases the responsibility on us, we are doing the utmost to represent our country in the best possible way ".
The president of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio, and the mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo also speak of peace.
"From Piedmont, through the Eurovision international stage, we wish not only to tell the world about the beauty of our land, but also to send a message of brotherhood and peace. Italy has welcomed more than 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine. and 10,000 are in Piedmont. Our affectionate embrace is addressed to all those who are fighting for their freedom at this moment ", Cirio underlines, while Lo Russo says he is" honored to host this very important world event in Turin, also for the message of European peace and brotherhood that he is sending out especially at a time so complicated by the war in Europe ".
From Tuesday evening we start to get serious, with the first semifinal at the PalaOlimpico.
"I'm very ready," says Achille Lauro, who will mount a mechanical bull in his performance.
"Singing live is one of the things I like most", observes Blanco, who with Mahmood shows last.
"Even if I have already done Eurovision, it seems a bit like the first time - concludes the two-time winner of Sanremo - We are super happy to do it in our country: here they stop us, they charge us, we feel a great adrenaline".