Aya Nakamura, Juliette Armanet and Philippe Katerine will participate in the opening ceremony

The most listened to French singer internationally will perform her hits as well as those of Charles Aznavour. Pianist Sofiane Pamart will also take part in the party.

The casting is taking shape. R&B star Aya Nakamura, as well as Juliette Armanet and Sofiane Pamart, will be among the artists who will participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday, July 26.

The most listened to French singer internationally, the performer of Djadja will sing two of her greatest hits, as well as songs by Charles Aznavour. She will be surrounded by musicians from the Republican Guard and choristers from the French Army Choir, in one of the twelve scenes imagined by the ceremony’s director, Thomas Jolly. The rumor of the participation of the 29-year-old Franco-Malian, mentioned in the spring, had bristled the country’s far right. She had been defended by Emmanuel Macron who believed that the singer had “completely in its place” in this ceremony.

Other artists invited to the party include Juliette Armanet, accompanied on the piano by Sofiane Pamart, known for his collaborations with French-speaking rap artists. Singer Philippe Katerine, famous for his hit song LuxorI love it, the French metal band Gojira and DJ Cerrone will also be scheduled.

Will Celine Dion be part of the show? The singer arrived in Paris on Tuesday, to the great delight of his fans, deprived of his concerts since March 2020The Canadian is expected to take part in the show, but the information has not yet been officially confirmed.

Another unknown: the identity of the last torchbearer. Marie-José Pérec? Zinedine Zidane? A pair of athletes? Or another French personality? The secret is still well-kept, 36 hours before the start of the Paris Olympic Games.