The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics sparked outrage over its allegedly blasphemous depiction of the Last Supper. However, a new theory has emerged about the true content of this bizarre depiction.
US-based Pastor Benjamin Cremer shared a post on social media debunking the allegation that the controversial drag queen scene was a mockery of Leonardo da Vinci’s classic painting and thus of Christianity.
The message reads: ‘It was a representation of the event called the festival of Dionysus. Greek god of festivities and feasts and rituals and theatre.’
‘The Olympic Games come from Greek culture and tradition. French culture is deeply rooted in celebrations and festivities and performing arts.’
According to theory, the scene depicted during the opening ceremony is based on a painting entitled ‘Feast of the Gods’ by Johann Rottenhammer and Jan Bruegel, circa 1602.
‘This painting is not specifically Dionysus, but shows how celebrations were often depicted during the Renaissance, with many Greek influences.’
‘It may resemble the feast of Dionysus, but it may also be reminiscent of the Last Supper.’
‘That’s because during the Renaissance many paintings of banquets showed a table with people on one side (and perhaps a few on the front) and had them sitting and standing in various positions.’
The catwalk-turned-stage element of the opening ceremony was criticized by some Christians for resembling a parody of the Last Supper
Reverend Benjamin Cremer shared a post saying the scene in the opening ceremony referred to another painting and not the Last Supper
To support Mrs Pafford’s argument, her post was shared by a pastor.
Pastor Cassie Rapko wrote: ‘It was not the Last Supper, which is celebrated in Italy and not in France. It was the feast of Dionysis.’
The response to Mrs Pafford’s message was completely positive.
“Thank you. I didn’t automatically jump to the conclusion that they were deliberately mocking the Last Supper, but some clearly were…” wrote one Facebook user.
“Finally. A voice of reason,” wrote another.
A performer, painted blue and covered with flowers and fruit, representing the Greek god Dionysus, sang in French
French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine played the role of the Greek god of wine Dionysus. He was dubbed the ‘naked blue man’ online.
Spectators were convinced that the performance was a re-enactment of the famous Biblical scene in which Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles share a last meal before the crucifixion.
But the artistic imitation, which also involved a group of drag queens and a transgender model, has offended some Christians, saying it is a “gross mockery” of the religion.
The performance, complete with models, dancers, fashion icons and transvestites from the host country, took place on a bridge over the capital’s river, around a table that doubled as a catwalk.
In the center stood a woman with a golden crown in the shape of a halo behind a DJ machine, surrounded by several drag queens and dozens of dancers and performers.
A fashion show featuring clothes designed by some of France’s most promising young designers took center stage, with people on either side performing slick choreographies.
Among those in attendance was Drag Race icon Nicky Doll, who starred in the French franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and now hosts the French version.
Although the popular TV show was also hampered by the music being hard to hear, many young people and fans on social media were full of praise for the scene, which attempted to recreate the atmosphere of a nightclub and featured dancing and lip-syncing on a soaking wet stage.
Others were less impressed, accusing the organizers of creating a “woke” parody of the Last Supper: a painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus’ last meal with his disciples.
Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk, who has been criticized for his conservative views, including toward his own daughter, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that his actions were “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
He added: ‘Christianity has become toothless.’
Christians, including Elon Musk, have criticized the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics for parodying the Last Supper. Due to technical problems and rain-soaked performers, only Canadian singer Celine Dion was able to save the ceremony.
But of the various art representations named after French values such as liberty, brotherhood and equality, it was the representation in the style of the Last Supper in the ‘festivité’ or party scene that caused the most controversy.
The performance, complete with models, dancers, fashion icons and transvestites from the host country, took place on a bridge over the capital’s river, around a table that doubled as a catwalk.
In the center stood a woman with a golden crown in the shape of a halo behind a DJ machine, surrounded by several drag queens and dozens of dancers and performers.
Elon Musk went to X to voice his displeasure over last night’s ceremony
A fashion show featuring clothes designed by some of France’s most promising young designers took center stage, with people on either side performing slick choreographies.
Among those in attendance was Drag Race icon Nicky Doll, who starred in the French franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and now hosts the French version.
Although the popular TV show was also hampered by the music being hard to hear, many young people and fans on social media were full of praise for the scene, which attempted to recreate the atmosphere of a nightclub and featured dancing and lip-syncing on a soaking wet stage.
Others were less impressed, accusing the organizers of creating a “woke” parody of the Last Supper: a painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus’ last meal with his disciples.
Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk, who has been criticized for his conservative views, including toward his own daughter, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that his actions were “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
He added: ‘Christianity has become toothless.’
Later in the show came the most bizarre moment of the evening: there was a giant bowl full of fake fruit and other food, with a ‘smurf’ in the middle of it.
The man, dressed in a tight blue bodysuit that left little to the imagination, was dressed as the Greek god of wine, merrymaking and theatre: Dionysus.
It was later revealed that he was French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine.
