~ Preface ~
I have more coming, God willing, on the Christian Olympics controversy. But having still more information to tie down, while mindful that the general interest clock is ticking on this one, I’ve judged it wise to provide one important document now ahead of the rest. So what follows is a transcript of a very important interview, which I urge Christians (in particular) to read. It’s taken some time thanks to the language barrier, which itself is in my view an under-appreciated factor in what has quickly become a highly charged conversation, both within the Christian community and between some Christian leaders or spokespeople and public leaders. 

By way of brief note here - 
My French proficiency extends to “Paris” and “Eiffel Tower”.  So I’ve phoned a friend or two - one human, one not - for assistance. This translation owes to a combination of Google Translate (for text headings), a transcription app paired with AI (MacWhisper Pro; ChatGPT 3.5), and the secret ingredient - my friend Rev Dr John Squires, whose hiddent talents extend to a decent proficiency in reading French and a bit more. (He may correct me on that?) To this has been added my extremely modest edits of a tidy-up nature. The product is, as confidently as I feel I can be, an adequate translation for understanding by a general audience. However should a fluent French speaker happen across this post, the link is below (just 5 minutes) and I’d more than welcome further refinement.

Transcript + Translation of Interview on BFM-TV Paris, 29 Jul 2024

Heading: 

Opening Ceremony: Thomas Jolly and Daphné Bürki respond to criticism

Intro: 

The artistic director and the stylist of the ceremony respond to the controversies that have arisen from some scenes of the show of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics

Voices:

Thomas Jolly (Artistic Director) — Daphné Bürki (Ceremony Stylist) — BFM Interviewer

[preceded by station promo; then straight to Thomas Jolly speaking:]

Thomas Jolly

Many people have assumed the scene without knowing if it was really that [Da Vinci’s “Last Supper”].

Daphné Bürki

Still not.

Thomas Jolly

That's not my inspiration. Besides, I think it's pretty clear. Dionysus is coming to this table. Dionysus is here because he is first the god of Greek mythology, of the party. And the painting is called Festivity. [Dionysus is] God of wine, who is also a fragrance of France. And [he is] father of Sequana, who is the goddess who is related to the river, the Seine. And the idea was to make a great pagan party related to the god of Olympus. And you will never find in my home, neither in my home nor in my work, any will of mockery or denigrating anyone. I wanted to make a ceremony that repairs, a ceremony that reconciles. But also a ceremony that reaffirms values that are those of our Republic, freedom, equality, fraternity. And absolutely not to mock anyone. On the other hand, if we use our work to regenerate beyond this moment of union, against division, against hatred. And that it continues to progress knowing that we have, I believe, made a little peace with each other. And to see that when we are together in all our differences, we can do great and beautiful and moving things. So it would be a shame.

Interviewer

Does it touch you personally these negative comments that you can hear, since these polemics?

Thomas Jolly

I think we will remember especially what we tried to do, that is to say to be as inclusive as possible, to show all identities, all the loves that flowed in this city, the love that is Paris. So we will stay on it and we hope, on the contrary, that what we tried to display that night continues to spread, to appease.

Daphné Bürki

Thomas is right when he speaks of repairs. The goal was to appease. And then it is also the principle of Olympus and this ceremony. There should be a break tonight, but there should be a very short break. So we are more on a message of peace. And those who absolutely need to over-comment or project themselves in a place that is not, I am sorry for them, but it is not the case.

Thomas Jolly

I believe that in any case, all those who have lived, participated, assisted in this ceremony, whether in Paris or on TV, we felt that the air was lighter that night and even the next day. I met people in the street who were singing. Clearly, we all still had these lines in our heads. I still have them personally. And for a long time.

Daphné Bürki

We hope. [Laughing gently]

Thomas Jolly

We received a lot of messages from people who said they were proud. And I think that it did us good too after months and years even. There was Covid, there were difficult political sequences. But in reality, this beautiful country, the people who are all different and can live, love freely, are beautiful and beautiful. And precisely, we are more numerous, I believe, to want to live well together, but we are less noisy. But on the evening of the ceremony, we made noise. This noise was the noise that took the step. And it was, I believe, a relief. Beautiful messages that do good.

Interviewer

Thank you. Thanks for watching!