Balich Worldwide Shows produced a touching Flag Handover to Abu Dhabi 2019

Special Olympics Austria 2017Abu Dhabi 2019 Flag Handover

Graz - Austria, March 25th 2017 - In occasion of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Closing Ceremony, Balich Worldwide Shows has been chosen to produce the Flag Handover to Abu Dhabi 2019 that will be the next hosting city of the competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities, on behalf of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi.

Special Olympics International (SOI) was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of the U.S. President J.F. Kennedy) in 1968 in Washington D.C., USA. Eunice recognized that physical activity enables people with intellectual disabilities more chances for life. In 1968 there were only 1000 athletes from USA and Canada who participated in the first International Summer Games of Special Olympics. In 2017 the Special Olympics gather 4,2 million athletes with intellectual disabilities in more than 170 countries.

Balich Worldwide Shows designs, creates and produces large-scale events, integrating and emphasizing the uniqueness of different national cultures with every show. After 15 Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies the know-how in producing large scale celebrations is renowned around the world. The Olympic experience of the team includes Torino 2006, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and the Flag Handovers at Salt Lake City 2002, London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.

It was a great honour for Balich Worldwide Shows to be chosen by the Crown Prince Court to celebrate the handing over of the flag to Abu Dhabi after the 45th National Day Celebration and "Mother of the Nation" celebration, in which BWS has developed a deep understanding and respect of the history, culture and traditions of the UAE.

During the Graz 2017 Special Olympics Closing Ceremony, BWS has created and produced a delicate Flag Handover to Abu Dhabi 2019, with the goal of combining professional artists and persons with special needs. On stage there were palm trees, the Emirati "tree of life", their crowns prosperous and full of fronds in an Oasis of Wonder. The cast was formed by a Bedouin group, a rababa player and a group of women in traditional costume. The characters picked fronds from the palms and each one was carrying the most important values written on it: Unity, Perseverance, Bravery, Inspirational, Authenticity, Giving.

From the palms on stage the light spread to 80 volunteers who revealed the logo of the Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019. See you in Abu Dhabi!

Credits:

Creative Team: Lulu Helbek, Simone Ferrari, Doug Jack

Project Manager: Laura Cappelli

Balich Worldwide Shows is part of Worldwide Shows Corporation, a global player in the live entertainment and communication industry. Based in Italy, it merges international talents and partners to create and manage ground breaking events across five continents. Born from the experience of Marco Balich, Gianmaria Serra and Simone Merico, the corporation is a group of high profile companies with great ambitions, each focusing on a specific field of expertise. From large-scale celebrations and Olympic Ceremonies to immersive formats, from permanent and touring shows to exclusive events and live communication, WSCorp offers unique creative solutions, bringing together the talent and skills of a multicultural team of more than 150 people.

Press Office: Roberta Guaschino

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balichws.com/special-olympics/

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