A New Vision of Frenchness at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

A New Era of Frenchness Unveiled at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

On Friday evening, a vibrant new vision of France was unveiled during the spectacular opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. As Aya Nakamura, the acclaimed French-Malian singer, stepped onto the scene in a dazzling short fringed golden dress, she not only captivated the audience but also redefined the very essence of Frenchness.

The traditional constraints imposed by the prestigious Académie Française, an institution known for safeguarding the French language against what one of its members disparagingly termed “brainless Globish,” were seemingly cast aside. Instead, we witnessed a celebration of a France whose linguistic landscape is increasingly enriched by expressions from its former African colonies, weaving a lyrical tapestry that underpins many of Ms. Nakamura’s chart-topping hits.

As the country’s most beloved artist, both domestically and internationally, Nakamura glided gracefully over the iconic Pont des Arts, clad in her laced golden gladiator sandals. The atmosphere was electrified by a Republican Guard band that accompanied her performance, infusing it with a unique blend of contemporary slang and cultural pride. Her unapologetic confidence bordered on audacity, making a bold statement: “This, too, is France.”

Despite criticism from far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who dismissed her performance as being in “who knows what” language, her attempt to label the event as “humiliating” for the French people was met with indifference. The show went on, echoing the sentiments of a diverse nation ready to embrace its complexities.

The backdrop of this ceremony was steeped in a political and cultural crisis that highlights the ongoing tension between tradition and modernity, as well as an open versus a closed societal perspective. France currently finds itself in a state of political gridlock and cultural division, struggling to establish a cohesive government or reach a consensus on the very definition of Frenchness.

In this turbulent context, the artistic director Thomas Jolly envisioned the ceremony as a bold exploration of what it means to be French, aiming to foster a more inclusive France and a less fragmented world. It transcended mere entertainment, evolving into a political statement wrapped in the pulsating energy of a captivating show.