Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies, received an honorary Molière award on April 28, 2025, recognizing his significant contributions to the event.

During his acceptance speech at the 36th Nuit des Molières, Jolly emphasized the importance of live performance as a tool for social cohesion, particularly in light of conservative criticisms.

He dedicated the award to live performance as a means to foster social cohesion and healing, receiving a standing ovation from the audience at Folies Bergère in Paris.

Jolly also addressed recent backlash from conservative groups regarding a performance featuring drag queens, warning against the increasing threats to creative freedom in the arts.

He specifically mentioned the controversy surrounding a tableau criticized by conservatives as a parody of the Last Supper, highlighting the ongoing tensions in artistic expression.

The ceremony was hosted by Caroline Vigneaux, who made a political statement with her attire and urged the audience to resist budget cuts affecting the arts sector.

Despite significant budget cuts announced earlier that week, Minister of Culture Rachida Dati assured her commitment to preserving the budget for artistic creation in 2025.

Cultural leaders, including Eric Ruf of the Comédie-Française, emphasized the role of theater in countering misinformation, while a CGT representative condemned the dire state of cultural funding.

The event recognized multiple productions, awarding five Molières to Eric Ruf's 'Le Soulier de satin' and another five to Jean-Philippe Daguerre's 'Du charbon dans les veines,' along with additional awards for comedic and musical performances.

In his speech, Jolly expressed gratitude for the influence of public cultural sectors in shaping his development as a director and actor.

Looking ahead, Jolly highlighted the creative success of the upcoming Olympic ceremonies, particularly the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, which aims to celebrate diversity.

The Olympic ceremonies, scheduled from July to September 2024, have been praised for their creativity, with Jolly envisioning the opening ceremony along the Seine as a celebration of diversity.