Divided Reactions in UAE to Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Paris Olympics are underway now and the world is expectancy and enthusiasm to see and participate in the contest. However, the opening ceremony has raised a lot of controversy and got different reception, especially in the UAE.

The event was criticized rampantly especially after drag queens and tranvestites graced the occasion through their performances. Some of the externals and, in particular, costumes and dances were viewed by many as an attempt to be vulgar and the depiction of ‘Last Supper’ in any way could be considered blasphemous to an extent. The backlash also saw the removal of the ceremony video from official channels, a fact that one Emirati citizen brought out the negativity that was usually displayed towards such issues.

However, some termed it as freedom of speech and modernity of westerners especially the French in the performance. However, one of the most prominent Dubai-based entrepreneurs decided not to air the opening ceremony of Players House stating, that this show has too ‘degenerate an agenda. ’

The conflicting views demonstrate that the presence of controversy can refer to deeper cultural debates on the role of culture and creativity in global events.