Religious speakers continue to berate the Olympic Opening Ceremony for “mocking” Christianity as false information spreads on the Paris 2024 controversy.
The Opening Ceremonies
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics has caused quite a stir among populist and religious right groups.
Critics Outraged
Many critics were not pleased with the extravagant additions, including an artistic depiction of the Last Supper with drag performers.
The Extravagant Performance
The fashion show in question included a scene that some people thought was based on Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Last Supper painting, but the director, Thomas Jolly, has insisted this is not the case. French singer Philippe Katerine performed as Dionysus from Greek mythology, scantily dressed and barely covered in a tiny bouquet of flowers.
Celebrating French Camp
With false information flooding the mainstream media and social media sites, many Christian and conservative groups did not find it appropriate or tasteful.
Trump Weighs in
Donald Trump was personally offended by the ceremony and said, “I thought what they did was a disgrace” while discussing the matter on Fox News this week.
Artistic Expression or Satanic Symbolism?
Trump’s former campaign attorney Jenna Ellis wrote, “In this scene from the Olympic opening ceremony, the famous painting of The Last Supper is recreated, but Jesus is replaced with an obese woman, while queer and trans figures (including a child!) depict her apostles”. Ellis continued to say it was filled with “overt pagan and satanic symbolism.”
The Painting in Question
The painting in question, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, shows the last meal that Jesus Christ shared prior to his crucifixion with his 12 apostles. This iconic scene, and a very prevalent theme in Christian art, is known for capturing the anguish felt by the apostles when Jesus announced his betrayal and imminent death.
Artistic Director Shocked by Public Response
The artistic director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, was shocked by the conservative reaction and maintains that he only wanted to promote inclusion while celebrating the wilder side of French culture. Jolly said, “When we want to include everyone and not exclude anyone, questions are raised,” at a media briefing with the International Olympic Committee.
The Meaning of Diversity
He continued, “Our subject was not to be subversive. We never wanted to be subversive. We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together. We wanted to include everyone, as simple as that. In France, we have freedom of creation, artistic freedom. We are lucky in France to live in a free country. I didn’t have any specific messages that I wanted to deliver.”
The Right to Love
Jolly reiterated, “In France, we are republic, we have the right to love whom we want, we have the right not to be worshippers, we have a lot of rights in France, and this is what I wanted to convey.”
Butker’s Response
Controversial Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker called the event “crazy” and warned his followers, “for what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap”. Butker made headlines earlier this year after his commencement speech telling the fresh college female graduates that the “most important” title they can have is a homemaker.
Blasphemy in France
The spokesperson for the Holy See for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bishop Emmanual Gobillard, responded to the performance, saying, “The fact that our religion should be mocked is usual and we are used to blasphemy in France, but the context isn’t the same.”
“Out of Place”
Bishop Emmanual Gobillard continued, “In an event that brings together all or part of the population, I found this staging hurtful and out of place.”
Nothing New
Although it has been proved that this was not a depiction of the Last Supper, renowned British writer and broadcaster David Aaronovitch was quick to remind his listeners that the Last Supper has been “pastiched, parodied and altered tens of thousands of times” since its creation.
Not the Last
Even if this Opening Ceremony was a depiction of the Last Supper, which it wasn’t, it would not be the first (nor would it be the last) depiction of the famous work of art.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / HJBC.
