The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, celebrated for its vibrant display of French art and culture, has sparked intense debate and reactions ranged from the humorous: “it looks like a bad acid trip” to the deeply offended.

The controversy centers on a segment featuring a reimagining of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” performed by drag artists, which has incited backlash from conservative and religious groups.

The ceremony, directed by Thomas Jolly, included a fashion show with French actor Philippe Katerine portraying the Greek god Dionysus. The performance aimed to celebrate diversity and artistic freedom, with Jolly emphasizing inclusion as a central theme. “We wanted to include everyone,” Jolly stated, defending the tableau as a representation of France’s artistic liberty.

While many praised the event’s celebration of LGBT individuals, others were offended by the perceived mockery of Christian symbolism. Former Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis criticized the scene, calling it “pagan and satanic.”

Bishop Emmanuel Gobillard, representing the Vatican, expressed his disappointment, calling the portrayal “hurtful and out of place” for a global event meant to unite people.

Prominent figures like Elon Musk and political commentator Kyle Becker decried the ceremony as “woke,” sparking widespread debates online. Some critics questioned if such a portrayal would have been acceptable with other religious figures.

The ceremony also faced criticism for mistakenly identifying South Korea’s athletes as North Korean, prompting apologies from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This was compounded by an upside-down Olympic flag during the broadcast, adding to the evening’s challenges.

Despite the controversies, supporters of the performance highlighted the importance of artistic expression. James Leperlier of France’s Inter-LGBT expressed hope that the ceremony would inspire further progress for LGBTQ+ rights in France.