**Designer Appeals for Investment to Restore Milano Cortina Olympic Cauldrons**
Marco Balich, the visionary behind the cauldrons for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, is reaching out to private investors and institutions for support in reactivating these iconic installations. Six months after the conclusion of the Games, the two cauldrons remain dismantled and stored in warehouses—one in Milan and the other near Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Balich emphasized the emotional connection that the cauldrons fostered with both residents and visitors during the Olympics. He believes that reactivating the cauldrons could be achieved at a cost significantly lower than one million euros, which would include necessary lighting and features to enhance their presentation. “I think that for much less than one million euros they could be reactivated,” Balich stated in an interview with Reuters.
The designer’s call for funding comes in light of previous experiences with similar installations. He referenced the Tree of Life, a prominent symbol from the Milan Expo 2015, which had been left abandoned for nearly a decade before the institution managing the Expo area decided to reacquire it. The Tree of Life is expected to be operational again next year, and Balich expressed hope that the cauldrons would not face a similar lengthy wait for reactivation. “Milan and Cortina represented a very joyful moment,” he noted.
Balich acknowledged that the financial burden of preserving the cauldrons should not fall solely on public bodies. Instead, he is looking towards banking foundations and large private companies to step in and provide the necessary funding. “I hope the willingness can be found to make it happen, because Milan deserves it,” he added.
While Balich refrained from commenting on the potential locations for the cauldrons, social media has seen a flurry of suggestions. Among the proposed sites for the Milan cauldron are the Central railway station, the modern CityLife district, and Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, which is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous mural, "The Last Supper." Another suggestion includes relocating the cauldron to a museum setting.
Cortina's Mayor, Gianluca Lorenzi, has indicated that the decision regarding the cauldron's placement is still under consideration, particularly due to the significant maintenance costs associated with outdoor installations. “We are still assessing where to place it,” Lorenzi stated.
The cauldrons were unveiled during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 6, 2026. They were designed to reflect both natural harmony and Renaissance engineering, drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric “Knots.” The Milan cauldron was notably suspended beneath the Arco della Pace, a historic triumphal arch that commemorates a significant moment in Italy's unification, while the Cortina cauldron rose from a pedestal in Piazza Dibona, located near the heart of the Dolomite resort.
In contrast, Balich pointed out the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron, which has been displayed in the Tuileries Gardens over the past two summers, suspended from a hot-air balloon. This installation has become a collective ritual for the city, evoking nostalgia for a unique moment in Parisian history. “In Paris it has become a collective ritual that recalls a very special moment for the city and for all French people,” he remarked.
As Balich continues to advocate for the reactivation of the Milano Cortina cauldrons, the future of these symbols remains uncertain. The designer’s appeal highlights the importance of community engagement and private investment in preserving cultural landmarks that resonate with both locals and tourists alike.