The French Embassy in South Africa and the French Institute in South Africa, within their known commitment towards contemporary art, would not participate in any way in an event susceptible of provoking controversy outside the artistic sphere.

Consequently, we regret having to announce our decision to withdraw all involvement in the Guilty exhibition, which is to take place at Fort Klapperkop on January 17 and 18. We therefore formally request that any mention of the IFAS support be withdrawn;  moreover, there will be no official French presence at this specific event.

The French Embassy wishes to emphasise that it was not in its intention to hurt whatsoever either the South African public or its European friends. The Museum Division of the City Council of Pretoria, the MCA and the Goodman Gallery, which  had  requested IFAS to support their global programming at Fort Klapperkop, can be assured of the French Embassy's trust.

YVES LO-PINTO
Press Attache
French Embassy
Pretoria