The opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Paris, which took place mainly as a boat parade down the River Seine, received mixed reactions from the French public. The ceremonies featured performances from international artists like Céline Dion and Olympian athletes on boats designated by country. However, the ceremonies also included controversial elements such as a live reenactment of the Last Supper with drag queens and a ménage à trois sequence. The French Bishops’ Conference released a statement expressing regret over the mockery and derision of Christianity in the ceremonies, while French President Emmanuel Macron defended the event, thanking the creative team and artists involved.
One French woman, @JulietteBriens, expressed her disapproval of the ceremonies on social media, apologizing to the world and disassociating herself from the “freakshow.” Another French user, @Arwenstar, echoed this sentiment, expressing embarrassment and apologizing to the world for the controversial scenes. A viral video shows a French family reacting in shock to the Last Supper reenactment, with one member shouting, “No no no no no no! What is that?!” Despite the negative reactions, a significant number of Americans tuned in to watch the opening ceremonies, with 28.6 million viewers in total.
French actor and theater director Thomas Jolly, who was responsible for directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Paris, has faced criticism for the controversial elements included in the event. Critics of the ceremonies have highlighted the inappropriate nature of the Last Supper reenactment and ménage à trois sequence, questioning the artistic choices made by the creative team. The French Bishops’ Conference expressed disappointment over the mockery of Christianity in the ceremonies, while some French citizens distanced themselves from the event and issued apologies to the global audience.
Despite the controversies surrounding the opening ceremonies, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the event and praised the creative team and artists involved. Macron thanked everyone who contributed to the ceremonies and described the event as a “unique and magical moment.” The French Bishops’ Conference also acknowledged the support from members of other religious denominations who expressed solidarity with them in response to the scenes that were considered offensive to Christianity. The mixed reactions to the ceremonies reflect the diverse opinions within the French community regarding the artistic choices and portrayal of religious themes in the event.
The viral video of a French family reacting in shock to the Last Supper reenactment has garnered attention online, with many viewers expressing surprise and confusion over the controversial scenes in the opening ceremonies. The video captures the visceral reaction of the family members as they witness the unexpected and unconventional reenactment, highlighting the divisive nature of the artistic elements featured in the event. The negative reactions from French citizens on social media underscore the controversy surrounding the opening ceremonies and the differing perspectives on the portrayal of religious themes in a public event of such magnitude. The discussions and debates sparked by the ceremonies reflect the complexities of balancing artistic expression with cultural sensitivities and religious beliefs in a global context.
