Olympic Opening Ceremonies Reflect Political Divide Between France and Italy

Paris and Milan-Cortina have delivered starkly different Olympic spectacles, with the contrasting approaches mirroring the political philosophies of their respective leaders, Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni.

As one of the world’s most-watched cultural broadcasts, Olympic opening ceremonies provide powerful platforms for nations to project their self-image on the global stage. The recent ceremonies have highlighted a growing divide in how European nations view cultural identity and tradition.

“Paris tried to reinterpret tradition. Milan showcased tradition,” explained Hugh Dugan, an Olympic Truce advocate and former U.S. diplomat. He characterized the Paris ceremony as “a deliberately disruptive, decentralized, urban spectacle… visually bold but polarizing,” built around diverse representations of modern France that sparked significant debate.

The 2024 Paris opening ceremony, which took place along the Seine River, became a flashpoint in France’s ongoing cultural debates. A segment widely interpreted as referencing Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” drew sharp criticism from Christian groups and conservative commentators, eventually prompting organizers to clarify their intent and apologize for any offense caused.

This controversial moment ignited national discussions about “woke ideology” and France’s cultural direction, according to reporting in The Conversation. The ceremony’s choreography and costuming often carried explicit social commentary that some viewed as provocative or ideologically driven.

Emma Schubart, a research fellow at the U.K.-based Henry Jackson Society, observed that “The Olympics have become a stage for cultural politics as much as sport.” She added, “President Emmanuel Macron’s France leaned into progressive, ‘woke’ politics and post-national symbolism, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Italy emphasized heritage, tradition and unapologetic national pride. These aesthetic choices reflect a widening divide over Europe’s cultural and political future.”

By contrast, the Milan-Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony took a markedly different approach. Dugan described the Italian ceremony as “panoramic, heritage-driven, classical,” focusing on “tradition, harmony, co-existence and the Olympic truce.” The event celebrated Italian culture, design, and natural landscapes while emphasizing the Olympic ideals of connection and peace.

Media coverage of the Milan ceremony highlighted its unity-focused message and spectacle rooted in classical imagery and national identity. Unlike its Parisian counterpart, the Italian production steered clear of potentially divisive symbolism, instead embracing performances that celebrated the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Dugan, who recently launched a Truce Compliance Index tracking how countries observe the Olympic tradition of peace, argued that the difference between the ceremonies reflected two distinct philosophies about their purpose. While Paris embraced modern identity and pluralism through an ambitious cultural narrative that polarized audiences, Milan centered its message on timeless themes tied to heritage and human connection.

These contrasting approaches mirror broader political differences between the two nations’ leaders. Under Macron, France has pursued policies that often embrace progressive social values and European integration. Meanwhile, Meloni’s government in Italy has emphasized traditional values, national sovereignty, and cultural heritage preservation.

The evolution of Olympic opening ceremonies reflects how host nations increasingly use these global platforms to project specific visions of national identity and values. Paris chose a path of modern reinterpretation that challenged traditional perspectives, while Milan embraced classical symbolism that celebrated historical continuity.

As the Olympic movement continues to navigate a complex global landscape, these ceremonies serve as cultural barometers, revealing deeper tensions about how nations define themselves in the 21st century and what values they wish to project to international audiences.

The divergent approaches of Paris and Milan-Cortina ultimately demonstrate how even sporting events can become powerful expressions of competing visions for Europe’s cultural and political future.