Mistral Zerbi

After spending hours scrolling through Twitter comments about the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, I felt I owed it something for making me laugh so much. Most of the comments were hilariously negative and cynical, which made me want to write something more controversial, as usual. As a good analytical philosopher, I felt the need to remain fair and charitable to an idea despite my personal opinion of it.

Many praised the London opening ceremony for being traditional and elegant, featuring icons like James Bond, The Queen, and Mary Poppins. It was a well-done showcase of Britain’s history and pop culture, appreciated by many. However, it was a safe choice that catered to general tastes without pushing any boundaries. Without daring.

In contrast, many people on the internet called the Paris Opening ceremony “shameful”, even “disrespectful” and “not representative of French culture.” I must disagree. From Lady Gaga’s extravagant performance, reminiscent of a Parisian cabaret, to sports teams waving flags on the Seine’s iconic Bateaux Mouches, many elements were distinctly Parisian and easily recognizable.

The unforgettable French Revolution performance with Marie Antoinette and heavy metal band Gojira was certainly a unique mix, nevertheless strongly representative of a French revolutionary spirit. In the official video, one commentator mockingly questioned “You are telling me this is a famous revolutionary French song?”, to which the other commentator responded, “Don’t think of the period, it’s not the point”. And it is true, that wasn’t the point. The performance highlighted the endurance of France’s rebellion, from the Revolution to today. As also demonstrated by France’s last elections, the revolutionary spirit of the French is still very much alive and is not solely a symbol of history. 

As opposed to the London ceremony, which showcased everything the world expected to see, Paris took risks. Despite controversies, it made sure everyone was represented, including LGBTQ communities with figures like Nicky Doll, black athletes like Teddy Riner, and women athletes like Marie-José Pérec. In the music sector, artists like Gojira and Aya Nakamura were showcased, ensuring that both mainstream and niche music were equally represented. Even the pouring rain felt like a paid actor, there to represent typical Parisian weather. However, the ceremony did not fall short in elegance and tradition when closing the show with a spectacular “Montgolfiere” cauldron and a wonderful performance with Celine Dion in front of the Tour Eiffel. The Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony was an unprecedented display of inclusivity, proudly showcasing France’s past, present, and future.

As for all the haters of the “Last Supper” performance. The reasons as to why a Drag Queen representation of the pagan God Dionysus was an offence to the Christian community will always remain a mystery to me. 

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the performance, clarified that the characters represented a Pagan feast, highlighted by the presence of the almost-naked Dionysus. The nudity was not intended to offend but to reflect the nudity present in the Ancient Olympic Games. The performance aimed to reminisce about the origins of the Games. Some argue that the structure of the performance strongly resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting, which made the performance offensive and profane. I contend that people often see what they want to see, and that is precisely what art intends. If individuals choose to believe in an unfounded resemblance over facts and arguments, little reasoning can appease them. Artistic performances aim to liberate and express euphoria. Art has the duty to elevate the soul, amuse, and sometimes shock. The Paris Olympic ceremony might have been controversial or shocking, aligning with the French spirit, but it was certainly not offensive. While some may find the performance in poor taste, such judgments are subjective and do not constitute legitimate grounds for offence.

It is unfair to judge a four-hour-long ceremony by a few controversial minutes. The internet’s tendency to highlight the negative and amplify complaints often overlooks the bigger picture. If we always manage to see the worst of what we are offered, maybe we did not deserve an Opening Ceremony at all. Despite enjoying the most cynical tweets, I felt the need to offer a more optimistic perspective.

Enjoy the games.