After significant outrage, the organizing committee of
Paris 2024
has clarified that the opening ceremony was not intended to mock Christians or Catholics. This response follows the concerns raised by some Catholics and other Christian groups over a performance featuring drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer dressed as the Greek god of wine, inspired by
Leonardo da Vinci
’s
The Last Supper
.
Among those who were outraged were Donald Trump Jr and Elon Musk. However, as the organisers have pointed out, that the performance, set against the backdrop of the River Seine, was meant to interpret
Dionysus
and highlight the “absurdity of violence between human beings”. It's a view that Walther Schoonenberg, an art and architectural historian, curator of the Amsterdam City Centre and Secretary of the Association of Friends of the Amsterdam City Centre, echoed out on X.
Here’s a translation of his original thread (with the accompanying tweet):
At the #OpeningCeremony of #Paris2024, a tableau vivant (a living painting) was presented of 'The Feast of the Gods' by
The (pagan) gods have gathered on Olympus for a feast. Apollo is recognizable by the halo of rays of the sun, Bacchus (Dionysius) by the grapes, Neptune (Poseidon) by his trident, Diana (Artemis) by the moon, Venus (Aphrodite) by Cupid.
The resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' from 1495 is such that Jan van Bijlert was apparently inspired by the fresco in 1635 to depict a pagan feast.
Jan Hermansz van Bijlert (Utrecht 1597/98-1671) was a Dutch painter who is considered part of the Utrecht Caravaggisti, 17th-century artists who traveled to Italy as part of their training and came under the strong influence of Caravaggio's works.
Oh yes, besides Diana, I also see Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, and naturally with Venus is Mars, the god of war, who, as is well known, had something with the goddess of love.
So, there is no question of Christians being offended in this tableau vivant. One could rather say that the pagan gods are being insulted because the often somewhat effeminate Apollo is depicted as a fat woman.
In short, it was about the
Despite this, the Paris Games 2024 organising committee apologised.
"There was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. The opening ceremony aimed to celebrate community tolerance," stated Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps during a press conference. "We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are truly sorry."
France, known for its rich Catholic heritage, also has a strong tradition of secularism and anti-clericalism. Blasphemy is legal and is often considered an essential pillar of freedom of speech. Supporters of the performance praised its message of inclusivity and tolerance.
However, the Catholic Church in France expressed disapproval, stating that the ceremony included scenes of “derision and mockery of
Christianity
.” Monsignor Emmanuel Gobilliard, a delegate of the bishops of France for the Games, mentioned that some French athletes experienced difficulty sleeping due to the controversy. Archbishop Charles Scicluna from Malta, an official for the Vatican’s doctrinal office, contacted France’s ambassador to Valletta to complain about what he termed a “gratuitous insult.”
The Italian bishops’ conference criticized the ceremony, suggesting it turned into “a parade of banal errors, accompanied by trite and predictable ideologies.” An article in Avvenire, a daily newspaper affiliated with the Catholic Church, questioned the necessity of experiencing every global event, including sporting ones, as if it were a Gay Pride event.
Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party in Italy, described the segment as “squalid,” adding, “Opening the Olympics by insulting billions of Christians around the world was a really bad start, dear French.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referred to the situation as an example of the “moral void of the West.”
Who was Jan Hermansz van Bijlert?
Jan Hermansz van Bijlert (circa 1597–1671) was a Dutch painter, one of the leading artists of the Dutch Golden Age. He was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Van Bijlert was a member of the Utrecht Caravaggisti, a group of painters influenced by the Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio. This influence is evident in his use of dramatic lighting and realistic depiction of subjects.
Van Bijlert initially trained under Abraham Bloemaert, a prominent Utrecht painter, before traveling to Italy around 1617. During his time in Italy, he encountered the work of Caravaggio and other influential artists, which had a significant impact on his style. After returning to Utrecht, van Bijlert joined the Guild of Saint Luke and later became one of the founding members of the Utrecht painter's guild.
His works often featured religious and mythological themes, portraits, and genre scenes. Van Bijlert's paintings are noted for their vibrant colors, meticulous detail, and dynamic compositions. Some of his notable works include The Concert, The Procuress, and The Lute Player. His contributions to the Utrecht Caravaggisti movement helped shape the artistic landscape of the time, making him a significant figure in Dutch art history.
