Da Vinci Code debate comes full circle

‘Trial’ in hometown of Leonardo looks critically at novel

ROME — Art experts and conservative clerics are holding an unusual “trial” in Leonardo da Vinci’s hometown, aimed at sorting out fact from fiction in the novel The Da Vinci Code.

The event in Vinci, just outside Florence, began Friday with an opening statement by Alessandro Vezzosi, director of a Leonardo museum. He said he would produce photographs and documents as evidence of the mistakes and historical inaccuracies in Dan Brown’s best seller.

“Leonardo is misrepresented and belittled,” Vezzosi said in a telephone interview. “His importance is misunderstood. He was a man full of fantasy, inventions and genius.”

The novel’s allegations — that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and sired a bloodline — have provoked protest among Roman Catholic and Protestant conservatives, who say that Brown’s characters malign Christianity.

The book portrays Roman Catholic leaders as demonizing women for centuries and covering up the truth about the Holy Grail, which the novel says is Mary Magdalene herself.

Vezzosi said he would produce evidence through 120 photographs based on documents and paintings with the aim of “reassessing and disclaiming the author” of the mystical thriller, a mix of code-breaking, art history, secret societies, religion and lore.

Organizers said there would be no one speaking in the book’s defense and the “verdict” would be in the speakers’ presentations.

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