French Embassy In Malta Addresses Olympics Opening

The Embassy of France in Malta issued a statement following the backlash caused by the Olympics Paris 2024 opening, wherein a scene was thought to be a parody of the Last Supper with drag queens at the table.

The statement, which follows a letter penned by Archbishop Charles Scicluna among others, referred to the explanation given by the artistic director issued on Sunday 28th.

“So no, it wasn’t my inspiration. In fact, I think it was quite clear that Dionysus was coming to the table. Why Dionysus? Because he is first and foremost the god of celebration in Greek mythology, and the painting is called “Les Festivités”.

“He is the god of wine, an important symbol in France, and the father of Sequana, the goddess linked to the river Seine. (…) You will never find in me any desire to mock or denigrate. I wanted to organise a ceremony that would repair and reconcile, and that would reaffirm the values of our Republic: liberty, equality and fraternity”.

‘And now it’s time for the Games, and let’s embrace, together, the values of Olympism: friendship, respect, excellence, which forge unity in diversity’, the statement ended.

#MaltaDaily