The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics sparked outrage for the so-called blasphemous depiction of the Last Supper, but a new theory has emerged about what the bizarre performance was really about.
Reverend Benjamin Cremer, based in the US, shared a post on social media which dispelled the allegation that the controversial scene featuring drag queens was mocking Leonardo da Vinci’s classic painting and therefore Christianity.
The post reads: ‘It was a representation of the event called the Feast of Dionysus. Greek God of festivity and feasting and ritual and theater.’
‘The Olympics are from Greek culture and tradition. French culture is deeply rooted in feasting and festivity and performing arts.’
According to the theory the scene depicted in the opening ceremony was based on a painting called ‘Feast of the Gods’ by Johann Rottenhammer and Jan Bruegel, circa 1602.
Another social media post challenged the idea the scene was depicting the Last Supper.
Taylor Driskill Pafford wrote, ‘This painting is not specifically Dionysus, but is showing how feasts were often depicted during the Renaissance period— with lots of Greek influence.’
‘It can look like the feast of Dionysus and it can also be reminiscent of the Last Supper.’
The catwalk-turned-stage element of the opening ceremony was criticised by some Christians for appearing to parody the last supper
Reverend Benjamin Cremer shared a post saying that the scene in the opening ceremony was referencing a different painting and not the Last Supper
‘That’s because during the renaissance, many paintings depicting a feast would have a table with people on one side (and maybe a few on the front ends) and have them seated and standing in differing positions.’
Adding weight to Ms Pafford’s argument, her post was shared by a pastor.
The Rev. Cassie Rapko wrote, ‘It wasn’t the Last Supper, which is housed in Italy, not France. it was the Feast of Dionysis.’
Replies to Ms Pafford’s post were in full support.
‘Thank you. I didn’t automatically make the leap that they were deliberately mocking the Last Supper, but some clearly did…,’ wrote on Facebook user.
‘Finally. A voice of reason,’ wrote another.
French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine was playing the role of the Greek god of wine Dionysus – online he was referred to as the ‘naked blue man’.
A performer painted blue and covered in flowers and fruit, depicting the Greek god Dionysus, sang in French
Spectators believed the performance was a recreation of the famous biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles sharing a last meal before the crucifixion.
But the artistic imitation, which also included a group of drag queens and a transgender model, has caused offence among some Christians for making a ‘gross mockery’ of the religion.
Complete with models, dancers, fashion icons and drag queens from the host nation, the performance took place on a bridge over the capital’s river around a table, which also doubled as a catwalk.
At the centre was a woman in front of DJ equipment with a golden halo-style crown, surrounded by several drag queens and dozens of dancers and performers.
A fashion show which showcased clothing designed by some of France’s most promising young designers took centre stage, as those seated on either side performed slick choreography.
Among those present was Drag Race icon Nicky Doll, who has appeared on the French franchise, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and now hosts France’s own version.
Although also hampered by hard-to-hear music, many young people and fans of the popular TV show took to social media to praise the tableau, which aimed to echo the atmosphere of a nightclub and featured dancing and lip-syncing on the soaking-wet stage.
But others were less impressed, accusing organisers 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 come under criticism for his conservative beliefs, including towards his own daughter, wrote on X – formerly Twitter – claimed the performance was ‘extremely disrespectful to Christians’.
He added: ‘Christianity has become toothless.’