The evening, which opened with a DJ set by RDS, transformed the heart of the city into a huge stage for sport, culture, and music.

On stage, introduced by the hosts Paola Rota and Filippo Ferraro, speaker of RDS, the representatives of the institutions took turns: the Extraordinary Government Commissioner and President of the Organizing Committee Massimo Ferrarese, the Mayor of Taranto Piero Bitetti and the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi.

A moment of great intensity was the performance of the Italian and International Committee of the Mediterranean Games anthems by the Magna Grecia Youth Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Nicola Colafelice.

Massimo Ferrarese spoke with tones of confidence and pride, after greeting and thanking the dignitaries present: "There are 334 days left until the Games, and in 30 months we must complete what was planned for 85 in 2019: a challenge we are facing with determination. Through sport, we want to build a revolving bridge across the Mediterranean," Ferrarese continued, "uniting countries through healthy competition and ideally awarding the most important gold medal: that of peace. We are accelerating as fast as possible to meet the deadline, but we must never forget our guiding principle: fairness, transparency, and respect for the law. Only in this way can Taranto deliver on the promise of an unforgettable edition."

Mayor Piero Bitetti emphasized the strategic importance of the event: "The Mediterranean Games represent a historic opportunity for Taranto and the entire Ionian region. This event offers us the extraordinary opportunity to showcase the beauty of our region, its millennia-old history, and the vitality of its community to the world. This will be the moment to demonstrate that entrusting Taranto with the honor and responsibility of hosting such a prestigious event was not only the right choice, but also a far-sighted one, capable of leaving a positive and lasting legacy for future generations."

The Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, emphasized the Government’s constant commitment alongside the Organizing Committee. “My predecessors spoke about an inevitable premise, though not one to be taken for granted, of that word introduced four years ago into the IOC motto, which is Communiter. The IOC motto is in Latin and, in some way, brings this territory even closer together. Communiter means together: this is the spirit we are practicing in Taranto, and it is the one necessary to achieve an objective that goes far beyond a period of competition between athletes from Mediterranean countries.” He placed strong emphasis on the educational, social, and peace-driven values that sport carries with it—ideals that, he said, are at risk of being overlooked in today’s world.

Thunderous applause accompanied the performance of special guest Mietta, an artist who brings with her not only unforgettable hits, but also the roots and soul of her homeland, Taranto, which today applauds her as a daughter of this city and the pride of the Mediterranean.

A moment of pure magic was provided by Malika Ayane, one of the most refined and beloved voices on the Italian music scene, who enchanted the audience with her elegance, charisma, and intense performances capable of transforming the Rotonda into an open-air theater.

The event concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. The celebration continued with a DJ set by RDS, confirming Taranto as a capital of energy, passion, and a future for sport.

For information: media@ta2026.com



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