Director of Controversial Paris Olympics Show: I Was Not Inspired by the 'Last Supper'

Two days after the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which faced protests from Christian leaders and far-right parties in France, Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, responded to these criticisms by stating that he was not inspired by the 'Last Supper' and did not intend to 'mock' anything. In the final parts of the opening ceremony, which was held for the first time outside a stadium along the Seine River in Paris, a group including several drag queens appeared at a table reminiscent of the scene of Jesus Christ's 'Last Supper' with his apostles, famously painted by Leonardo da Vinci. The French Bishops' Council, the highest Christian authority in the country, issued a statement regarding the opening ceremony, saying: 'Unfortunately, some scenes included mockery and ridicule of Christianity, which we deeply regret.' Criticism came from Catholic bishops and right-wing politicians regarding the opening of the Paris Olympics. However, Anne Dacamps, spokesperson for the Paris 2024 organizing committee, stated at a press conference on Sunday, August 7, that 'it is clear that there was never any intention to show disrespect to any religious group. The opening ceremony aimed to celebrate tolerance in society.' She added, 'We believe this goal has been achieved.' Jolly also denied any intention to mock Christianity in an interview with BFM TV, saying: 'You will never find in me a desire to mock or belittle anything. I wanted to hold a ceremony that reconciles [different groups] and affirms the values of our Republic.' When asked if he was inspired by Da Vinci's 'Last Supper,' he replied, 'It was not my inspiration.' The director emphasized: 'I think it was quite clear, Dionysus comes to this table. He is there, why? Because he is the god of celebration, wine, and the father of Sequana, the goddess connected to the river.' Jolly explained that the idea was more about creating a grand festival related to the gods of Olympus and Olympism. Regarding another scene reminiscent of the decapitated head of Marie Antoinette (a woman holding her head), he assured that there was no 'celebration of the instrument of death, the guillotine.' He said: 'If we use our work to recreate division and hatred, these things will continue to progress.' Despite the controversies surrounding some scenes of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, the event also garnered much praise. Supporters said the message of the display was one of tolerance and coexistence. The International Olympic Committee stated that Thomas Jolly brought a 'mountain' instead of a stone for the Olympic monument. The artistic director of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony announced that the preparation stages for the displays took two years. He acknowledged that in a world shattered by wars, his show had a political aspect, but he did not want to speak about politics like politicians do. Jolly told Le Monde: 'From the moment we talk about ourselves, we are political.' The openly gay director, who included gay and transgender characters in his show, referred to his personal experiences of discrimination, stating: 'I have dealt with the concept of being different since my childhood because I was a victim of oppression. I have always wanted to fight against these adversities through theater, a theater that honors the uniqueness of every human being.'