Organizers of Paris Olympics 2024 Apologize Over Mockery of “Last Supper”
LAST SUPPER MOCKERY? – The Paris Olympics organizers apologized for any offense caused by their unconventional opening ceremony while denying any intention to disrespect religion.
Complaints from French bishops and Catholic groups arose over perceived mockery of Christianity during the parade directed by Thomas Jolly. The controversy centered on a scene involving dancers, drag queens, and a DJ in poses reminiscent of the Last Supper, which drew criticism for deriding Christianity.
Paris 2024 spokeswoman Anne Descamps emphasized that there was no intent to disrespect any religious group and expressed regret for any offense taken. Jolly denied using the Last Supper as inspiration for his nearly four-hour production, which was held along the River Seine. The scene featuring French actor Philippe Katerine, painted blue and nearly naked, portrayed Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and pleasure, aiming to promote tolerance of different sexual and gender identities.
Jolly explained that the idea was to create a large pagan celebration linked to the gods of Olympus, stressing that his work does not aim to mock or denigrate anyone. He intended the ceremony to unite people and affirm the Republican values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Another notable moment featured a depiction of executed French queen Marie-Antoinette holding a bloodied severed head, symbolizing her imprisonment and eventual execution during the 1789 French Revolution. Jolly clarified that the scene did not glorify the guillotine.
Reactions to the ceremony, the first Summer Olympics opening held outside the main athletics stadium, were mixed. A Harris poll commissioned by Paris 2024 organizers revealed that 86 percent of French respondents viewed the ceremony positively. Celine Dion’s solo performance from the Eiffel Tower emerged as the most memorable feature for many respondents. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the ceremony for making French people proud.
However, the diverse cast and prominent inclusion of women and LGBT+ performers upset some conservative critics, who labeled the event “woke.” Julien Odoul of the far-right National Rally party called it a “ransacking of French culture,” and Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described it as a “giant gay parade.”
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