Malika Ayane and Arisa: the competition for the Milan Cortina 2026 anthem

AND a contest, a virtual competition created under the artistic direction of Beppe Vessicchio, to decide which songs can become the anthem of the next Winter Olympics. The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of University and Research reached out to conservatories, institutes, bands and choirs from all over Italy asking them to make a piece for Milan Cortina 2026. Then, through a first vote, they narrowed the squad to only two possibilities, both presented on the Sanremo stage. On the one hand, the Cpm Music Institute of Milan, with A little further. On the other, the musical body La Cittadina di San Pietro Martire, with Until dawn. Malika Ayane and Arisa, candidates to become the voice of the next Winter Games.

It will be the public, called, until 22 February, to vote on the platform www.milacortina2026.org, to decide which of the two songs is the most suitable to be played as the Olympic Anthem. It will be the public, because this is how the spirit of the Games commands, its inclination to share and participate. The audience will choose between Malika Ayane and Arisa, destined, however, to attend – together with the Italian delegation – the Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. The singers, although “adversaries” in the challenge for the best anthem, were invited to participate in the ceremony that will see the official passage of the Olympic and Paralympic flag in the hands of the mayors of Milan and Cortina.

«It is a great emotion for me to attend the Olympic closing ceremony. Among the many inclusive activities, sport also contributes to making our country even more esteemed and rich, and I can only be proud and honored to represent Italy at such an important event as the Olympic Games in Beijing. This year I was a guest in Sanremo singing A little furtherone of the two finalist songs of the music contest that will lead to the choice of the Milan Cortina 2026 anthem. A little further it was written and edited by the Cpm Music Institute of Milan, a school for young children that gives voice and space to their creativity, making them aware that, with perseverance and commitment, dreams are by no means intangible realities. I was deeply impressed by the maturity with which the theme of the song was elaborated, a song with a delicate sound that becomes more and more rhythmic, whose words exactly describe the Olympic spirit: “Leaving is never enough, it’s on arrival. you find out who you are, “Malika Ayane told us. «I believe that sport is a faithful mirror of life – Arisa echoed her – It puts you in front of your limits and pushes you to overcome obstacles. In competitive performance you are alone with yourself, a bit like an artist on stage. Others can certainly help enhance you, but the end result is entirely up to you. This is why I am happy to be part of this project and even more to represent our country, because the truth is that I feel deeply Italian. The Olympics and Paralympics will not only take place in Milan and Cortina but will involve the entire Peninsula in a stage route. Well, I really like this aspect too: sport – like music – is a great opportunity for emotion, and above all for sharing. Milano Cortina 2026 will make us all feel closer, after two years of pandemic we need it ».

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