‘Last Supper’ with transvestites outrages Christians at Olympic opening

“Exaggeration,” “provocation,” and “an ode to ‘woke’ culture.” That’s how the Christian community is treating the version of The Last Supper that will be staged at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The parody has sparked controversy and riots because it recreated Leonardo da Vinci’s work by placing drag queens, a transgender woman, and a naked man in the place where Jesus would have appeared dining with the 12 apostles.

“This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and ridicule of Christianity, which we deeply regret,” the French Bishops’ Conference said in a statement, quoted by Reuters.

In addition to the Catholic Church, the parody was criticized by some public figures and far-right politicians.

“To all Christians around the world who are watching the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and feel offended by this parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France speaking, but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation,” said Marion Maréchal, a far-right politician, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Would they mock any other religion in this way? Horrible decision,” wrote journalist Piers Morgan.

Olympic organisers said the show was aimed at raising awareness among viewers “of the absurdity of violence between people” and promoting inclusion of the LGBTQI+ community.

Thomas Jolly, the opening ceremony’s creative director, spoke out about the situation after a wave of criticism, denying any intention to provoke.

“There is no desire to subvert or shock, but rather to say that we are so great, we have republican ideas of inclusivity, generosity and solidarity that we need so much. Here, artistic creation is free, and we are lucky to have it.” There is no desire to transmit militant messages, only republican ones: in France, we have the right to love each other as we want, in France, we have the right to believe or not to believe,” he said, as quoted by the newspaper. Le Parisien.