Paris Olympics organizers say they meant no disrespect with ''Last Supper'' tableau
Paris (AP/PTI): Paris Olympics organizers apologized Sunday to anyone who was offended by a tableau that evoked Leonardo da Vinci's “The Last Supper” during the glamorous opening ceremony.
Da Vinci's painting depicts the moment when Jesus Christ declared that an apostle would betray him. The scene during Friday's ceremony featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch — an LGBTQ+ icon — flanked by drag artists and dancers.
Religious conservatives from around the world decried the segment, with the French Catholic Church's conference of bishops deploring “scenes of derision” that they said made a mockery of Christianity — a sentiment echoed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. The Anglican Communion in Egypt expressed its “deep regret” Sunday, saying the ceremony could cause the IOC to “lose its distinctive sporting identity and its humanitarian message.”
The ceremony's artistic director Thomas Jolly had said it was meant to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to feasting and French gastronomy. Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps was asked about the outcry during an International Olympic Committee news conference on Sunday.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance,” Descamps said. “Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense we are, of course, really, really sorry.”
Jolly explained his intentions to The Associated Press after the ceremony.
“My wish isn't to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock,” Jolly said. “Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”
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Passenger gets back misplaced bag containing valuables worth Rs 20 lakh at Mangaluru airport
Mangaluru (Karnataka) Dec 23: A heartwarming instance of vigilance and dedication unfolded at Mangaluru international airport here on Monday when a passenger got back his bag containing valuables worth Rs 20 lakh and Rs 1 lakh in cash.
The bag, which had been inadvertently left behind at a food and beverage outlet on the ground floor of the arrivals area, was swiftly recovered by alert Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. Upon discovering the unattended bag, the team ensured its safe transfer to the terminal manager's office for further action.
Demonstrating resourcefulness, the team waited for a call on the mobile phone found inside the bag to establish contact with its owner. Once contacted, the passenger, who had already travelled nearly 50km to Udupi, was reassured about the safety of his belongings.
The passenger promptly returned to the airport and was overjoyed to find all items intact.
This seamless recovery highlighted the collaborative efforts of the CISF and airport terminal team.
