The athlete from Taranto rises and runs toward the future, dancing on a map of the Mare Nostrum: the opening choreography of the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games serves as a metaphor for a city striving to embrace its future once again, as expressed in the wish voiced on the eve of the event by President Mattarella, who was in the stands to declare the “Games officially open.”

In the presence of heads of state (from Algeria, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Lebanon) and heads of government (from Serbia and Algeria), Taranto put on a spectacular show with an explosion of lights and colors, Mediterranean sounds, and Apulian pride.

In the stands were the most prominent institutional figures: President Mattarella, Prime Minister Meloni, four ministers (Abodi, Foti, Schillaci, and Mazzi), the 1^st ICMG Vice President Mehrez Boussayene who gave a great speech, together with the President of the Organizing Committee Massimo Ferrarese, the ICMG Secretary General Iakovos Filippousis, the ExCo members of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games and many sports personalities.

On the field, in a two-hour show, Taranto is seen through the eyes of a young man who looks to the past to draw useful lessons for the future in a continuous back-and-forth through time. The event consists of two segments, with the parade of athletes taking place in between.

Seventy performers took part in a theatrical-style show, with a narrative thread stretching from Ancient Greece to the present day: woven into the story was the history of Taranto told by Mietta (who performed a song inspired by the rhythms of the taranta), Al Bano (who performed a previously unreleased version of “Nel Sole”), and Serena Brancale (a medley of songs)—all artists native to this region.     The Italian national anthem was performed by 13-year-old Simone Grande, winner of *The Voice Kids*, accompanied by the Magna Grecia orchestra. The ceremony concluded with the “Athlete of Taranto,” portrayed by dancer Christian Pace: a legendary athlete and winner of the Games in Ancient Greece who embodies the values of sport—a metaphor for the city of Taranto, which seeks to draw strength from its past to embrace its future once again.

Now, its time for the Games.