Organizers of the Paris Olympics apologized on Sunday to those offended by a painting at the opening ceremony depicting the Greek god Dionysus and an ancient festival honoring him, which critics said mocked “The Last Supper.”
At one point during Friday’s ceremony, on the Pont de Billy over the Seine, the camera cut to French DJ and producer Barbara Bucci, who describes herself as a “love activist.” Bucci wore a blue dress and a silver headdress, and the camera panned out to show drag queens flanking her on either side. Then a nearly naked man painted blue, depicting Dionysus, the god of winemaking, vegetation, fertility and ecstasy, appeared on a dinner plate surrounded by food. He then sang as people danced around him, and the scene cut to a runway with models walking across.
The scene has sparked backlash as it mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting “The Last Supper,” which depicts Jesus Christ eating his final meal with his 12 apostles and then announcing that one of them will betray him.
Christian and Catholic groups around the world have since condemned the scene. The French Bishops’ Conference, which represents the French Catholic bishops, said in a statement that the scene was “a mockery and an insult to Christianity” and that it was thinking of religious believers who were “hurt by the outrageousness and provocativeness of this particular scene.” Prominent Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron said in a statement that the video mocked “a very central moment of Christianity.”
US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said on social media that it was “shocking and offensive” to Christians.
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Communications provider CSpire also announced it would pull all Olympic advertising following the incident.
What did Paris Olympics organizers say about the controversial part?
Thomas Joly, artistic director of the opening ceremony, said at the International Olympic Committee’s regular press conference at the Olympic Games on Saturday that the moment was not intended to be “subversive, shock or ridicule.” During the opening ceremony, the Olympic Games’ official social media accounts said the blue figure played by French singer and actor Philippe Catherine was Dionysus and was meant to “call home the absurdity of human violence.”
Jolie told French television station BFMTV on Sunday that “The Last Supper” was “not the inspiration for the segment,” and also spoke about the meaning of Dionysus.
“The idea was to have a pagan festival in honour of the Olympian gods. I have no desire to ridicule or belittle anyone,” he said.
Still, Paris 2024 spokeswoman Anne Deccan on Sunday apologised to anyone offended by the scenes.
“Obviously, there was no intention to show any disrespect towards any religious group. On the contrary, I think together with Thomas Jolly we made a genuine effort to celebrate the tolerance of the community,” Dekan said. “Looking at the poll results that we shared, I believe we achieved this ambition, and of course I am truly sorry if anyone was offended.”
The IOC said on social media that it had taken Paris 2024’s apology to heart.
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