THE MISS Universe set design for the Eleftheria Stadium was unveiled yesterday morning at a news conference in Nicosia.
The set was designed in Los Angeles by husband and wife team and veteran Miss Universe designers Gerry Hariton and Vicki Baral.
Speaking to journalists, Hariton underlined their intention to reflect the soul, as well as the history of Cyprus.
"We searched for clues in the villages, in the streets of Nicosia, in the museums and in the tavernas of Cyprus," he said.
The couple travelled all over the island, but it was at Curium and Paphos that they found their focal inspiration.
Indeed the centre of the set is a recreation of the Curium amphitheatre. On each side of the arena, there are stone walls, fashioned with windows, archways and portals.
During the three events for which the set will be used – the Millennium Presentation Show, The Dress Rehearsal and the actual Final on May 13 – lights will shine through the windows.
The painted backdrop will be a chameleon sunset and night sky.
The floor will be tiled in a resplendent mosaic – the central motif of which is Aphrodite, the first goddess of beauty and love, and the theme of Miss Universe 2000.
The curve of the stage will fan out into a series of angular platforms, which will thrust forward into a central catwalk.
And as the curves of Curium reflect antiquity, apparently these angular shapes reflect a modern Cyprus, jettisoning towards the future.
Hariton said "the idea was to draw from architectural sources all over the island. One thing I can promise you is that you won’t recognise the Eleftheria stadium."
The Eleftheria is smaller than previous Miss Universe venues, but the set maximises its 5,000 seating capacity.
The Millennium Presentation Show, presented by Ronn Moss on May 7, will be the set’s first public appearance.
Hariton would not go into details, but promised an evening of spectacular special effects, which will see the entire stage shrouded in fog and performers flying through the air.
"The overall effect will be extremely magical and will express the mythology of Cyprus", he announced.
The set was constructed in Greece, by the same team that builds sets for the National Theatre in Athens. It will be assembled piece by piece in the first week of May.
Paula Shugart, Miss Universe Vice President extended her thanks to the Cyprus government, to Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis and to all those who had worked for the pageant.
"Everything is right on schedule for what will be a spectacular show. Cyprus should be truly proud of what its broadcasting to the world," Shugart said.
