"Secret Office" in Paris

Drage shows at the opening of the Olympics turned into a scandal. Why did the organizers apologize after criticism of the church, sponsors and conservatives?

The Olympic Games in Paris began with a large public scandal-during the opening ceremony, several DR G-WKINS showed a scene in which the audience saw a reference to Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Secret Supper”.

The Bishop of France regarded the show as a mockery of Christians, and the American telecommunications company C Spire stopped placing its advertisement at the Olympics.

Soon, the organizers of the ceremony apologized and deleted a selection of the best moments of the opening of the Olympic Games from the YouTube channel, which also included the scene with DR G-Klin.

Read more about what happened - in the material of Novaya Gazeta Europe.

What is the scene?

On the evening of July 26, the opening ceremony of the 33-year-old Olympic Games took place in Paris. For the first time in the history of the competition, the event was not at the stadium, but in the city center - around the Seine River.

During the opening, several Dreg-Klin-flines gathered around the table. One of them became in the center, in a headdress resembling a halo, on both sides of it, other drag rangers posed.

Also at the ceremony, a half -naked singer was represented in the image of the Greek god Dionysus - he settled on a dining plate surrounded by fruits.

Many found this scene with a parody of the “secret evening” by Leonardo da Vinci - a picture depicting the scene of the last meal of Jesus Christ with his disciples.

However, according to the art director of the ceremony, Thomas Zholi, the Dreg-Klin did not parody the “secret evening”, but depicted pagan gods on Olympus.

Why is the drag show criticized?

The conference of the bishops of France stated that the opening ceremony of the Olympiad included scenes of "ridicule and mocking Christians." Bishops expressed regret on this subject.

“We think about all Christians on all continents that are outraged by the provocativeness of certain scenes. We want them to realize that the celebration of the Olympic Games unfolds far beyond the limits of the ideological prejudices of several authors, ”the bishop said in a statement.

The Pope Francis did not comment on the scene with Dregwin shown at the opening of the Olympics. At the same time, priests around the world joined her criticism, among them-the Maltese Archbishop of Charles of Scyclun , chairman of the US Bishops Committee on Evangelization and Catechization, Andrew Kozzens , archbishop of Santiago de Chili Fernando Chomali .

The scene similar to the “Secret Supper” was condemned not only by clergymen, but also by other media faces - the founder of SpaceX, Ilon Musk , the speaker of the House of US representatives Mike Johnson , the deputy of the European Parliament Marion Maresal and others.

“It was extremely disrespectful towards Christians,” Musk wrote on the social network X, which he owns.

The reaction also followed from a large American telecommunication company with Spire - the management said that it would remove its advertising from the Olympics.

How are the organizers of the game explained?

After a loud public reaction, the art director of the opening ceremony of the Olympiad Thomas Zholi apologized for his show. He emphasized that the number was not a parody of the “secret evening”, and the participation of the Dreg-Klin was due to the idea of ​​the diversity of gender identity and sexuality.

“We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means to be together. We wanted to turn on everyone, that's all. <...> In my work you will never find a desire to humiliate someone and something, ”Zholi said.

Soon after this, the situation was also commented by the director of the communications of the Organizing Committee of the Olympiad Ann Deskamp-she also said that the organizers had no goal of offending someone.

“It is obvious that we had no intention of showing disrespect for any religious group. The organizers of the opening ceremony of the Olympiad tried to note the tolerance of society. We believe that this goal was achieved. If people are offended, we are very sorry, ”said Deskamp.

Dreg-Klin Le Filip, known for the reality show Drag Race, praised the production and stated that he was proud of the representative of Quir-Person.

“I'm amazed. It all started with Lady Gaga, then there were drag-jin, a huge rave show and fireworks in the sky. It was like a coronation. I am proud that I see my friends and Quir-Person on the world stage, ”he said.

In addition, a video with the best moments of opening of the competition, which was also present, was also presented by the performance of the Dreg-Klin, from the Utube channel of the Olympic Games. A similar video also disappeared from the NBC Sports channel broadcasting the game in the United States.

In the International Olympic Committee (IOC) , the video was blocked in the EU and the UK, since the organization did not retain digital rights in these markets.