Only two days after the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, the organization of Paris 2024 has issued an “apology” to the religions that may have felt “offended” by certain aspects of the Opening Ceremony. At the same time, addressing one of the points that sparked protests from the bishops of France and right-wing groups, the drag queens at a table reminiscent of the Last Supper, Thomas Jolly, the man behind the ceremony, firmly denied any connection: “I did not draw inspiration from the Last Supper, it was a celebration with Dionysus, a pagan ritual.” The press release explaining each step of the ceremony made no mention of the Last Supper.
In a press conference response, Anne Descamps, the Communication Director of Paris 2024, clarified today that “there was no intention to disrespect any religious group” during the globally televised Ceremony on the Seine. The French Bishops’ Conference had denounced “scenes of ridicule and mockery of Christianity” referring to the “Festivities” chapter of the Ceremony, which began with an image of a group at a table that some interpreted as a Last Supper scene with Jesus and the apostles, including drag queens.
However, the artistic director of the Ceremony, Thomas Jolly, adamantly denied any inspiration from the Last Supper: “I thought it was quite clear – there is Dionysus arriving at the table. He is there because he is the god of celebration, wine, and the father of Seguana, the river goddess.” “You will never find in me any intention to mock or denigrate anyone. I wanted to create a ceremony of repair and reconciliation. And also reaffirm the values of our Republic,” he added. “The idea was a grand pagan celebration, linked to the gods of Olympus…Olympus, Olympus, Olympic spirit…” Many social media users pointed to a 16th-century painting by the Dutch artist Jan Harmensz van Biljert, located in a museum in Dijon, central France.
Philippe Katerine, the actor who portrayed Dionysus – practically nude with blue-painted skin – and was surrounded by drag queens at the table, also weighed in on the matter: “In the early Olympic Games in Greece, athletes were naked, if you look at the depictions of the time…that was the origin of the Games.”
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
