Paris Olympics opening ceremony director defends ‘Last Supper’ act against backlash

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony has faced criticism after a drag queen parody of Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper was featured in the show.

Paris Olympics opening ceremony director defends ‘Last Supper’ act against backlash

Paris Olympics creative director, Thomas Jolly -Image via X)

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, has defended the show against accusations of “wokeism” and mocking Christianity. Jolly stated that his intention was to capture France’s diversity and promote unity.

The ceremony, which featured 12 tableaux showcasing French culture and history, has been mainly applauded in France but has drawn criticism from some quarters. One scene in particular, featuring drag queens in a configuration resembling Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, has sparked ire.

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My will is to say we are an immense ‘we.' In France, we have the right to love each other, as we want, with whoever we want, in France we have the right to believe and not to believe. In France, we have many rights.
Thomas Jolly said to reporters

Jolly emphasized that his goal was to celebrate France’s diversity and inclusivity. Little did he know that it would provoke the sort of international outcry witnessed.

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The ceremony’s blend of tradition and modernity, diversity and inclusion, has been praised by many, but criticized by some who see it as subversive or mocking of traditional values. Jolly’s defense of the show highlights the challenges of creating an event that appeals to a broad audience while staying true to artistic vision.

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Paris Olympics opening ceremony spearheaded by Thomas Jolly sparks backlash over Drag Queen parody of Last Supper

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony has faced criticism after a drag queen parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper was featured in the show. Far-Right politicians, including Marion Maréchal, have apologized to Christians who felt insulted by the performance, describing it as a “parody of the Last Supper”.

To all the Christians of the world who are watching the #Paris2024  ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation.
Marion Maréchal wrote on X

The scene, which featured drag performers and other artists, was intended to be an “interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus” to highlight the absurdity of violence between humans. However, critics, including Elon Musk and US Speaker Mike Johnson joined voices to condemn the act.

The Paris Olympics organizers have responded, stating that there was no intention to show disrespect towards any religious group or belief and that the performance was meant to celebrate community and tolerance. They noted that artists have previously taken inspiration from Da Vinci’s famous paintings, including Andy Warhol and The Simpsons.

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