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Dear Commons Community,

The Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi was a stunning display of images celebrating Russian culture and history.  The vastness of the country (it covers nine time zones) and its people was evident in the colorful costumes of its performers.  The soprano, Anna Netrebko,  sang the Olympic Hymn.  A little girl suspended about 50-60 feet in the air by cables appeared to walk among clouds.  Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake was performed by dozens of dancers who appeared to fly across the stadium.  All in all a wonderful evening of pageantry and national pride.

Let the Games begin!

Tony