Olympic officials apologise amid mockery of biblical Last Supper

·

The Paris Olympics committee have released an apology to those offended by a scene that mirrored Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper during the 2024 opening ceremony.

Da Vinci’s painting shows the moment when Jesus Christ declared that an apostle would betray him.

The scene displayed on Friday, July 27 at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch – an LGBTQ+ icon – surrounded by drag artists and performers.

French actor Philippe Katerine appearing as the Greek god Dionysus. Photo: The Australian.

The scene received global condemnation from religious communities worldwide.

Australian journalist Carla Efstratiou was among the angered who criticised the controversial interpretation as a “sign [that] the West has officially fallen.”

Ms Efstratiou took to social media to express her disdain toward the “mockery of Christianity.”

In response to this controversy, the opening ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly said, “My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock… I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”

Source: Daily Mail.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

International Day of Dance: The lives of Melbourne’s Greek dance teachers

Dance has long been at the heart of Greek culture, particularly within the traditions of Hellenism that are taught across Australia.

Cyprus recognised at Lakemba ANZAC Service

The 2026 ANZAC Day service at Lakemba brought together veterans, families, students, and civic leaders in a formal commemoration.

Nominees announced for the CYDIA Awards 2026

The Cyprus Diaspora Forum has announced the nominees for the CYDIA Awards® 2026, the annual celebration recognising outstanding achievements.

Why Greeks in Australia are rethinking how they manage property in Athens

Your Athens home may sit empty for months, but problems don’t wait — for many in the diaspora, Home Watch Athens offers peace of mind.

Seminar to examine rise of Metaxas regime and fascist influence in interwar Greece

A public seminar examining the political turmoil and ideological forces that shaped modern Greek history will take place in Melbourne.

You May Also Like

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: ‘Heroes of OXI Day remain in our hearts’

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined the Greek community in celebrating OXI Day by issuing a message of commemoration.

Pressure builds on Victorian councils to ditch opening Christian prayer

More than a third of Victorian councils start their ordinary monthly meetings the same way — with a prayer. Read more here.

Mitsotakis rules out Greek military role in Middle East

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says Greece will not take part in military operations in the Middle East.