Sadiq Khan confirms plans to visit Nova Festival exhibition after Jewish News story
London's Mayor is understood to have received several invitations by the exhibition’s hosts
The Office of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has told Jewish News he is looking forward to attending the Nova Festival exhibition “very soon” and “seeing for himself how this powerful and moving installation enables Londoners to bear witness to the horrific events of 7 October”.
The pledge comes after this paper revealed that organisers felt disappointed that while a variety of senior political and religious figures had attended since the exhibition opened in East London on 20 May, the Mayor had not.
Jo Woolfe, chair and lead partner of the Nova Exhibition London, spoke to Jewish News in the wake of Tuesday’s announcement that the memorial would be extending its presence in the city until Wednesday 15 July due to phenomenal demand. She expressed frustration with regards to how the Mayor’s office appeared to have approached the invitations, suggesting that they had eventually corresponded with her proposing dates after the exhibition was meant to have closed – although it has subsequently had its run extended.
A spokesperson for the Mayor said: “The Mayor is looking forward to attending the exhibition very soon, and seeing for himself how this powerful and moving installation enables Londoners to bear witness to the horrific events of 7 October.
“From the beginning the Mayor’s office have been proactive in working with organisers to find a date the Mayor can attend the exhibition. Later dates were only considered once it had been announced online that the exhibition was being extended.
“Throughout the process the Mayor’s office have continued to reach out to the event organisers to find a date that works for both the Mayor and the exhibition.”
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