of Paris 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Among the many performances on offer, one in particular drew mixed reactions, including anger from conservative leaders.
During Friday’s four-hour ceremony, drag queens and dancers posed along a long table in front of which a figure in glittering blue paint rested on a dinner plate and sang in French. Some on social media quickly noted the image resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s “Angel Statue.” Last Supper A portrait of Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles before his crucifixion.
The table was then transformed into a catwalk where models and drag queens showcased the Parisian fashion scene.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson I have written After the performance, X (formerly Twitter) posted, “Last night Last Supper For Christians around the world who watched the Olympic opening ceremony, this statement was shocking and insulting. The battle against our faith and traditional values today knows no bounds. But we know that truth and virtue always triumph. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
Far-right French politician Marion Maréchal condemned the performance on social media. write“To all Christians around the world who watched the Paris 2024 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.”
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker said earlier this year Controversial graduation speechHe also quoted the Bible About X After the ceremony: “‘Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he that sows to please the flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to please the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.'” Galatians 6:7-8
However, the official Olympic Games account shared a photo of the performance, which it said was an allusion to the Greek god Dionysus. Last Supper.
“This interpretation of the Greek god Dionysus calls attention to the absurdity of human violence,” the photo’s caption reads.
Thomas Joly, artistic director of the Olympic opening ceremony, Press conference Asked about the criticism, Saturday Night said he wanted to demonstrate “inclusivity”.
“When you want to include everyone and not exclude anyone, it raises questions,” Jolie said. “Our theme wasn’t to be disruptive. We didn’t want to be disruptive. We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity is togetherness. We wanted to include everyone. That’s it.”
He continued: “In France we have creative freedom, artistic freedom. We are lucky because France is a free country. I didn’t have any particular message I wanted to convey. France is a republic, and you have the right to love who you want, and the right not to be a cultist. We have many rights in France. This is what I wanted to convey.”
Not everyone was upset by the performance, like the winner, Le Philippe. Drag Race France In season 3, he praised the artistic vision.
“I thought it was going to be a five-minute drag event with queer representation. I was surprised,” Le Philippe said. Associated Press“It started with Lady Gaga, then drag queens, massive raves, and fire in the sky. It felt like we were reaching the pinnacle again. I’m so proud to see my friends and queer people on the world stage.”
The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening ceremony An event where athletes from each country go down the Seine. During the event, lady gagaSang “Mon Truc en Plume” in French Later Celine DionPerforming in public for the first time since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, Dion sang the French ballad “Hymne a l’amour”.