Former France Ambassador to Ghana, Anne-Sophie Ave, has dismissed claims that certain scenes in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony mocked Christianity.
She clarified that the scene in question depicted a painting called “The Feast of the Gods” by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert, which hangs in The Musée Magnin in Dijon, France.
Anne-Sophie emphasised that the scene has no connection to the Last Supper from the Bible, as some have suggested, but rather showcases French culture.
“You may dislike this scene for several reasons (even I was circumspect), but it has nothing to do with the Last Supper. Here is the actual reference: A painting of the gods of Olympus called ‘The Feast of the Gods.’ Painted by the Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert in the 17th century hung in The Musée Magnin in Dijon, France.
"Crowned Zeus (in the middle) is God of Olympus. Dionysus (God of wine-making, festivity, and theatre) is the father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine. Art, celebrations, Olympus, Dionysius, and river Seine make more sense for an Olympic opening ceremony in Paris flag Fr than a last supper!” she explained in a post on her Instagram page.
The controversy began after a sequence featuring drag artistes, which some Christian groups felt parodied Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper.’
The Catholic Church in France condemned the ceremony for including “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity.”
Some netizens online have also condemned the act which led to the organisers of the games apologising to the public.
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