Turin Today. Toward 2011
The XX Olympic Winter Games in February 2006 left the city an extraordinary legacy. Not just a patrimony of infrastructures at the service of citizens, tourists, businesses, culture and sports, but above all a new way of living the city: more open to the world, a desire to get together and have fun, the ability to think up new challenges, plan them and – in the case of the Olympics – win them.
People who come to Torino can “feel” the enthusiasm generated by the 20,000 Olympic volunteers and by the 1,200 city volunteers, who cordially welcomed athletes and tourists. This passion engulfed the people of Torino and it hasn’t abandoned them: visitors will see this for themselves.
People arriving in town today can recognize the city as it appeared on TV screens throughout the world. Centrally-located Piazza Castello is the Medals Plaza that every evening transformed itself in a celebration of sports, music and fireworks. The stages which famous rock stars and classical musicians perform on today are those which hosted the ice skating competitions; the 400 kilometers of ski slopes which tourists from all over the world spend their skiing holidays on are the same ones which Alpine ski champions competed on for gold.
This is the new Torino that looks to the future. A city that reacted to the crisis of the automotive industry and its induced businesses by investing in culture and innovation with an eye on the future: starting in 2006, there are a series of events planned, from Torino World Capital of Books with Rome to the Winter Universiade, the World Speed Skating Championships, the World Congress of Architects, Torino World Design Capital, the European Championships of Rhythmic Gymnastics, European Indoor Archery Campionships, the European Indoor Athletics and in 2011 Torino, Italy’s first capital, will be the heart of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Unity of Italy. And the future of Torino has already begun: today, the city is equipped to host trade fairs, conferences and conventions, guaranteeing infrastructures, services for business and offerings of all kinds. Because in Torino, important events are greeted by a quality of life – made of art, culture, good food and wines and art de vivre – that is one of a kind throughout the world.
From the city of major, pre-Olympic transformations to the emotion-packed city during the Games, today Torino is finally a modern and exciting city of art.
