Addressing sensitivities

My original title for this story was The long table but I then decided on this alternative title, Addressing sensibilities, Anyhow, let me continue. The world around us can often be intolerant and defensive. A way to navigate this intolerance is by showing sensitivity towards our fellow human beings. Living in multi-racial Malaysia has taught us the importance of being considerate of the religious and cultural beliefs of various communities. We have Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus, Sikhs and many others among us. Respecting sensitivities is crucial for maintaining balance in such a diverse society. It's about understanding and appreciating different perspectives, fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. This mutual respect and sensitivity are essential for peaceful coexistence and national unity.

Unfortunately, this Malaysian trait is not a hallmark of many countries in the West or even much of the rest of Asia. Boundaries are pushed, cultural and religious equilibria are upset, and there is often regret for the consequences of actions. A prime example is the controversial performance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

The parade down the river Seine featured many eye-catching moments, including one now particularly infamous scene that outraged many Christians due to its resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's famed painting, The Last Supper. In this tableau, a scantily-clad man painted in blue, representing Dionysus, emerged to sing among dancing drag queens. As he began singing, the drag queens broke into dance behind him. The performance included a woman wearing a silver, halo-like crown at the centre of a long table.

Conservative and Christian leaders were quick to condemn the scene as an offensive parody of imagery central to their faith, despite the insistence of organisers that they took inspiration from an ancient festival. The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, insisted that the scene was not a reference to The Last Supper but a nod to a pagan celebration featuring Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, wine and revelry. Dionysus is also known in Roman mythology as Bacchus and is closely tied to France. In Greek mythology, he is the father of Sequana, the Goddess of the River Seine.

Following the outcry, Jolly clarified at the International Olympic Committee's daily briefing that the moment was not meant to "be subversive or shock people or mock people." On French television, he reiterated that The Last Supper was not his inspiration. "The idea was to have a pagan celebration connected to the gods of Olympus," he said. "The idea was to create a big pagan party linked with the God of Mount Olympus."

While the Olympic ceremony performance could depict one such celebration, some have said the scene also resembled other works. Among them is The Feast of the Gods, a 17th-century painting by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert, depicting the Greek gods of Olympus crowded around a long table, with Apollo the sun god recognisable by a halo of light around his head.

This last illustration suggests how insular and shallow-minded the people in the West can be, even among those supposedly better educated or higher strata of society. Thinking only of themselves, they think of the long table as only associated with The Last Supper. Why, here in Malaysia, we have the Baba-Nyonya amongst us where the Tok Panjang (or long table) takes pride of place in many households. The long table features during Baba-Nyonya wedding dinners and other celebrations.

In Baba-Nyonya or Peranakan culture, the Tok Panjang is an integral part of our rich traditions. During significant events, the Tok Panjang is laden with a variety of dishes that reflect the community's unique blend of Chinese and Malay, sometimes even Thai, culinary influences. This communal dining experience symbolises unity, prosperity and the sharing of joy. The Tok Panjang is nothing religious, just a piece of furniture but it is a cultural icon that represents the Baba-Nyonya values of togetherness and celebration that fosters a sense of community and continuity among generations.

So, was the brief scene at the Paris Olympics a mockery of Christianity, as some are suggesting? Or was it a homage to the Greek god Dionysus, as organisers proclaim? Maybe, akin to a cultural practice of the Baba-Nyonyas? I think these Westerners have lots to learn from most of us Asians.