The Opening of the Olympic Games is usually a family affair. Wrapped up warm in front of the tv waiting for New Zealand or whichever team you are supporting to come out into the stadium. Watching the wonderful spectacle and entertainment. This time it was France’s turn – in Paris. And did it drag on! Literally.
The Opening of the Olympic Games is usually a family affair. Wrapped up warm in front of the tv waiting for New Zealand or whichever team you are supporting to come out into the stadium. Watching the wonderful spectacle and entertainment.
This time it was France’s turn – in Paris. And did it drag on! Literally.
The NZ Herald reprinted an article from the Daily Telegraph in the UK which said
The organisers of the Paris Olympics are facing a backlash after an apparent drag-queen parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper featured in the opening ceremony. Painted in the late 15th century, The Last Supper is a mural which depicts Jesus with the 12 Apostles, showing the moment after he has announced that one of his apostles will betray him.
Far-right politicians criticised the skit, with Marion Marechal, a member of the European Parliament, apologising to “all the Christians of the world who felt insulted” by the performance. The controversial scene featured at the end of the four-hour show, when, in heavy rain, a group of about a dozen performers, including drag queens, struck poses behind a long table.
In both Stuff and 1News, the “independent” news outlets who are competitors – apparently – reprinted the same article from Associated Press
In an unprecedented display of inclusivity, drag queens took centre stage at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, showcasing the vibrant and influential role of the French LGBTQ+ community — while also attracting criticism over a tableau reminiscent of “The Last Supper.”
It’s a puff piece for the merits of drag, and concludes
Drag is not just a pastime; for many minority French communities who feel alienated over tensions arising from divisive politics and scars from the anti-gay marriage protests a decade ago, it’s a statement of defiance.
Many gay Black and Arab youths — especially those from Paris’ less affluent and religiously conservative suburbs — and others who feel a sense of disconnect with French society find voguing and drag events safe places where their identities can be expressed without fear of reprisal.
“The message of the show is freedom, and it’s a good postcard for France,”
So let’s show you a few clips – and if you have children watching, maybe this is a good time for them to take the rubbish out.
The Last Supper even with a mock halo, and drag queens and transvestites – and a child. Oh yes, got to have a child. Many people call this “grooming”.
Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, has pushed back against criticism, claiming the mockup of a famous Christianity image is all about inclusivity. “In France, people are free to love how they please, are free to love whoever they want, are free to believe or not believe,” Jolly said.
He said he just wanted everyone to feel represented – oh, except Christians of course
The response has been significant
Broadcaster and no Christian Piers Morgan said Btw, what the f*ck was all this about? A drag queen mockery of the Last Supper at the Olympics? Would they have mocked any other religion like this? Appalling decision.
Irish talkshow host Niall Boylan said I’m not religious, but the French depiction of the Last Supper is blatant disrespect and incitement. Jesus is portrayed as a woman and the disciples as transvestites. I wonder why they didn’t mock Islam in a similar way. Actually, don’t answer as I know why.
Prominent far-right politician Marion Maréchal denounced the performance on social media.
“To all the Christians of the world who are watching 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 #notinmyname,”
Probably one of the most popular tweets on this issue was Clint Russell of Liberty Lockdown who said
This is crazy. Opening your event by replacing Jesus and the disciples at the The Last Supper with men in drag. There are 2.4 billion Christians on earth and apparently the Olympics wanted to declare loudly to all of them, right out of the gate NOT WELCOME
Speaker of the House in the US Mike Johnson said
Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today. But we know that truth and virtue will always prevail. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Dutch politician Geert Wilders who in 2009 was charged by a Dutch court with inciting hatred toward Muslims (and acquitted 2.5 years later) said
So mocking Christianity is ok but when I publish some Muhammad cartoons the left cries blasphemy and radical imams issue fatwas. Double standards of the worst kind.
Now you may hear some people try to suggest that it wasn’t a mockery of The Last Supper –
but even France TV confirmed the “blasphemous” aspect, referencing to this as the “Cène”, the French word for Last Supper.
And the associated press also confirmed it
The French Bishop’s Conference put out a statement
Let’s compare 2024 to 2004
And here’s another way to do an opening – this is 2012 in London
So there’s a closing ceremony. Perhaps in an unprecedented display of inclusivity, freedom and a postcard for France, they can mock Islam.
Not that I think they should – just as I don’t think they should mock what is sacred to Christians, given that the Olympics is the gathering of all nations – with all its religions and cultures
But Paris won’t mock Islam.
Here’s why they won’t.
Jan 8 2015
At least 12 people have been shot dead in Paris – 2 of them police officers – after masked men stormed the offices of a French magazine. 10 others have been wounded – several critically – at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly which has printed cartoons deriding the prophet mohammed.
And then in Oct 2020, A history teacher was attacked and killed outside the school he taught at after showing his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad. The 18-year-old suspect was later shot dead by police.
Two interesting things since the ceremony and the fallout.
The official account of the Olympics has pulled down the opening ceremony coverage – some suggest it could be because of all the negative press
But more interesting
According to a report on MSN,
In Paris, Egyptian darkness descended. On the night from Saturday to Sunday, numerous photos and videos from the French capital emerged on social media. They show that the streets of the multi-million metropolis were completely dark. Services are explaining the cause of the blackout. The materials published online show that streetlights were not working in Paris. There was also no power in buildings. According to reports in the media, the power outage was brief and occurred in several districts of Paris. However, there is no official confirmation of what exactly happened.
