History meets revolution—again—at tonight’s 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, where creative director Thomas Jolly vows to \"change society\" through a dazzling showcase of dance, music, and inclusivity. Set against the iconic Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde—a site once drenched in royal blood during the French Revolution—the event promises to flip societal norms about disability upside down. 💥
Over 100 performers, including 20 artists with disabilities, rehearsed under secrecy this week, shielded by massive banners near the 3,000-year-old Luxor Obelisk. Dance takes center stage, with Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman crafting a rhythmic fusion where crutches, wheelchairs, and tricycles become tools of artistic expression. 🎶
\"This isn’t just a show—it’s a manifesto,\" said Jolly, who helmed last month’s Olympics ceremony. Composer Victor Le Masne, returning from the Olympics, teased \"Sportography\"—a track blending drumbeats with athletes’ breaths and shoe squeaks. 🥁
Will this reimagined arena spark a new cultural awakening? Tune in to find out—and prepare to see disability through a radically human lens. ✨
