
the media is promoting the popular visual misinterpretation for better commercial profit.

See also: The Horizon Book of Ancient Greece, 1965, published by American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc.
Very good source for information about Dionysus! And well explains why this Greek god would be the focus of the 2024 Olympics opening display and not The Last Supper. Also, "the importance of drama and performance in ancient Greek society" is characteristic of modern "drag", a feature of this Olympics display. A display appropriate for the Olympics? That's a different discussion! This research proves The Last Supper is not this display.

Re: https://www.perplexity.ai/
Q: As both events and artwork, how are The Feast of Dionysus and The Last Supper related?
"The Feast of Dionysus and The Last Supper, while distinct events and artworks, share some intriguing connections and contrasts:
Transgressive nature: Both events have inherently transgressive elements. The Last Supper, despite its familiarity in Christian tradition, involves the symbolic consumption of flesh and blood, which is a spiritually rich but bizarre concept. The Feast of Dionysus, associated with the Greek god of wine and revelry, often involved ecstatic and uninhibited behavior.
Artistic inspiration: Both events have inspired numerous artistic depictions throughout history. The Last Supper, famously painted by Leonardo da Vinci, has become an iconic image in Western art. Similarly, the Feast of Dionysus has been depicted in various artworks, such as Jan van Bijlert's 1635-1640 painting 'The Feast of the Gods.'
Cultural significance: The Last Supper holds immense religious importance in Christianity, representing Jesus' final meal with his apostles before his crucifixion. The Feast of Dionysus, while not religious in the same sense, was a significant cultural and theatrical event in ancient Greek society, particularly in Athens.
Themes of unity and division: The Last Supper represents a moment of unity among Jesus and his disciples, but also foreshadows betrayal and division. The Feast of Dionysus, while celebratory, could also involve elements of chaos and disruption.
Contemporary interpretations: Both events continue to inspire modern reinterpretations and discussions. The recent controversy surrounding the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony tableau demonstrates how these historical and mythological references can be conflated and reinterpreted in contemporary contexts
Symbolic consumption: Both events involve the consumption of wine as a central element, though with different symbolic meanings. In the Last Supper, wine represents the blood of Christ, while in Dionysian feasts, it's associated with revelry and altered states of consciousness.
Gathering around a table: Both events typically feature participants gathered around a table, emphasizing communal aspects of eating and drinking together.
It's important to note that while these connections exist, the two events come from vastly different cultural and religious traditions. The controversy surrounding the Olympic ceremony tableau highlights how easily these distinct traditions can be conflated or misinterpreted in modern contexts."
Q: Was the 2024 Olympics opening intended to represent The Feast of Dionysus and/or The Last Supper?
"The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony tableau that sparked controversy was intended to represent the Feast of Dionysus, not The Last Supper. Here are the key points:
Official explanation: The Olympics organizers and creative director Thomas Jolly have explicitly stated that the scene was inspired by Dionysus, the Greek god of festivities and wine, and depicted a pagan feast connected to the gods of Olympus.
Denial of Last Supper connection: Jolly and the organizers have repeatedly denied any intention to imitate or parody The Last Supper. Jolly stated, 'This is not my inspiration [the Last Supper]. On the table is Dionysus, because he is the god of celebration in Greek mythology.'
Greek mythology relevance: The choice of a Greek mythological theme aligns with the Olympic Games' origins in ancient Greece. The Dionysia/Feast of Dionysus was a festival honoring Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.
Visual elements: Experts point out that the scene had at least 17 performers, unlike the 12 apostles in The Last Supper. The poses and style were more reminiscent of drag culture than da Vinci's fresco.
Possible artistic inspiration: Some art historians suggest the scene may have been inspired by Jan van Bijlert's 1635 painting 'The Feast of the Gods,' which depicts Greek Olympian gods gathered around a table.
Olympic symbolism: The official Olympics X account described the scene as 'The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings'. While the tableau generated controversy and was misinterpreted by some as a parody of The Last Supper, the organizers maintain that it was intended to celebrate diversity and French culture through the lens of Greek mythology, specifically the Feast of Dionysus."
Q: What is the convincing evidence that the 2024 Olympics opening was about The Feast of Dionysus and not The Last Supper?
"Based on the available information, there are several pieces of evidence supporting the claim that the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony performance was about The Feast of Dionysus rather than The Last Supper:
Official statements: The artistic director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, explicitly stated that the scene was not meant to reference The Last Supper. He emphasized that 'The idea was to have a pagan celebration connected to the gods of Olympus' and to 'create a big pagan party in link with the God of Mount Olympus'.
Olympic Games' official communication: The official Olympics account on social media described the performance as an 'interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus' and made no mention of The Last Supper.
Artistic elements: The performance featured a nearly naked man painted blue emerging from a dinner plate surrounded by fruit, which aligns more closely with depictions of Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, wine, and revelry.
Historical context: The scene has been compared to "The Feast of the Gods," a 17th-century painting by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert depicting Greek gods of Olympus around a long table. This painting is part of the collection at the Musée Magnin in Dijon, France.
Thematic consistency: The performance was part of a larger celebration of Greek mythology and culture,
which is consistent with the Olympic Games' origins.
Performer's role: French entertainer Philippe Katerine, who appeared in the scene,
was specifically portraying Dionysus.
While the visual similarities to The Last Supper led some viewers to draw that connection, the preponderance of evidence suggests that the performance was indeed intended to depict The Feast of Dionysus rather than mock or parody Christian imagery. The controversy appears to stem from differing interpretations of the visual elements rather than an intentional reference to The Last Supper."
Q: What is known about the Greek god Dionysus and the Feast of Dionysus?
"Dionysus, also known by his Roman name Bacchus, is a prominent figure in ancient Greek religion and mythology. He is the god of wine-making, orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, festivity, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and theatre. Dionysus is often depicted with symbols such as the thyrsus (a fennel-stem sceptre), a drinking cup, and a crown of ivy. He is usually accompanied by Satyrs and Maenads, his wild female followers.
Mythological Background
Dionysus was born to Zeus and the mortal woman Semele. Hera, Zeus' wife, tricked Semele into asking Zeus to reveal his true form, which resulted in her death by his divine presence. Zeus saved the unborn Dionysus by sewing him into his thigh until he was ready to be born, making Dionysus the only god born from a mortal. After his birth, Dionysus faced further persecution from Hera, who incited the Titans to tear him apart. However, his heart survived, and he was resurrected, leading to his association with rebirth and resurrection.
Cult and Worship
Dionysus' worship included various forms and rituals, often characterized by ecstatic and frenzied states. His followers believed that through wine, music, and dance, they could achieve a state of divine ecstasy and liberation from societal norms and constraints.The god's cults were widespread, and he was considered a liberator who freed his followers from self-conscious fear and care.
The Feast of Dionysus
The Feast of Dionysus, also known as the City Dionysia, was one of the most important festivals in ancient Athens. It was held annually to honor Dionysus and included dramatic performances of tragedies and comedies over several days. The festival began with a procession and sacrifices, followed by performances of dithyrambs (choral hymns) and dramatic contests. The City Dionysia was crucial in the development of Greek theatre, and many of the earliest plays were performed during this festival.
Cultural Impact
Dionysus had a significant influence on Greek culture, particularly in the realms of theatre and festivity. The Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, considered the world's first purpose-built theatre, was a central venue for these performances. His association with theatre underscores the importance of drama and performance in ancient Greek society. In summary, Dionysus is a multifaceted deity associated with wine, fertility, and the arts. His mythological narratives and the festivals held in his honor highlight his central role in ancient Greek religion and culture. The Feast of Dionysus, particularly the City Dionysia, played a pivotal role in the development of Greek theatre and the celebration of Dionysian ecstasy and liberation."

should not let popular untruth be the foundation
of our protest against this Olympics opening.
Rod
