Olympics opening ceremony in Milan was lacking snow, but tiny winter wonderland was on its sidelines

In Milan, as the Winter Olympics opening ceremony dazzled with its Leonardo da Vinci-inspired cauldron and star-studded performances, a different kind of winter magic captivated audiences across town. Despite temperatures hovering around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, “Slava’s Snowshow” brought a blizzard of paper snow to the Teatro Strehler, offering Olympic visitors a theatrical winter wonderland.

The production, created by renowned Russian clown Slava Polunin, has been enchanting audiences in over 60 countries since 1993. For the Milan Olympics, Polunin crafted a special edition of his show to run until February 22, coinciding with the Games’ conclusion.

“Snow is a very powerful image,” Polunin told The Associated Press via email. “It can be immensely beautiful and incredibly dangerous.”

On opening ceremony night, Teatro Strehler was packed with spectators who chose the intimate theatrical experience over watching the grand Olympic spectacle on television. Many were returning visitors, eager to share the experience with a new generation.

“We saw the show about 15 years ago, and now that we have children, we wanted to experience it again with them,” said audience member Paola Volpe. “We were especially eager to return because we heard this was a special version linked to the Olympics.”

For the 75-year-old Polunin, the Olympic Games provided a unique opportunity to refresh his long-running production. “It is an honor to present the show at a moment when the attention of people around the world is focused on the place where you are performing,” he said. “As for the adaptation, the show is largely built on improvisation.”

The performance seamlessly incorporated Olympic references, with Polunin miming a phone call about the Games and using the iconic “Chariots of Fire” theme during one comedic sequence. The show featured half a dozen performers in bright green costumes alongside Polunin in yellow, creating a playful atmosphere where clowns climbed into audience seats, swapped spectators’ belongings, and opened umbrellas that sprayed light mists of water.

Throughout the 90-minute performance, the theater resonated with applause, laughter, and children’s excited reactions. The stage remained covered in white paper snow until the finale, when giant, multi-colored balloons bounced through the crowd, creating a festive conclusion.

“The show is a dream,” said regular attendee Raquele Maggi, who has seen the production about six times with her daughters. “It’s a little like magic.”

Polunin’s connection to snow runs deep. Born in Siberia, his childhood experiences shaped the emotional landscape of his work. He recalls the joy of building snowmen and creating white cities as a child, while simultaneously fearing for his parents when they ventured out during snowstorms.

“I always try to look at things from different points of view, to see both the comic and the tragic side,” Polunin explained. “For me, snow is full of beauty and anxiety.”

This duality is evident in the performance’s emotional range. In one of the show’s most poignant moments, Polunin clutches an empty coat to his chest, creating an image both tender and profoundly lonely.

The show’s wordless format has contributed to its global appeal, allowing audiences worldwide to connect with its themes regardless of language barriers – a universality that mirrors the Olympic spirit itself. Many spectators describe the experience as a journey back to childhood, while for Polunin, each performance remains a continuing process of self-discovery.

As Milan hosts the world’s premier winter sports competition, Polunin’s snow-filled theater offers visitors a different, yet equally magical winter experience – one where manufactured snow becomes a catalyst for memory, emotion, and childlike wonder.