FEATURES ARCHIVE

François de Ricqlès: Do you feel any different since the dispersal of your collection which is considered as the most important sale in recent history? Pierre Bergé:
It is every man’s will to one day be different. That said, it is not easy to achieve this, and I shall not pretend to have fully succeeded yet. However I do see objects in a different light. As an example, today I buy in order to fill a space whereas beforehand, I simply went to Kugel, bought something, and then found a place for it.

FdR: Your wish is to donate all the proceeds of the sale to medical research on the HIV virus and the fight against AIDS: How would you like to see it distributed?
PB: The proceeds will be distributed by a committee that I shall create, from a fund that already carries my name. This committee, will be headed by M. Bertrand Audoin, executive officer of Sidaction. The committee will also comprise other distinguished members including Professor Yves Lévy, Professor Françoise Barré – Sinoussi who won the Nobel prize for medicine and physiology, along with two other members higly considered and knowledgeable within the charity’s scope of interest. Speaking as the President of Sidaction, I have decided that the funds be distributed by this committee and distributed and managed by Sidaction.

FdR: Could you please inform us about Sidaction’s origins and maybe explain just what its aims are and how it came into existence?
PB: Sidaction was born after a decision made in 1994 to broadcast the same campaign programme against AIDS on all television channels and radio stations, giving birth to “Ensemble contre le SIDA” which became Sidaction. Being the President at the time of ARCAT- SIDA, an extremely active organisation, we decided to unify all other associations such as ACT UP, Aides, etc under a single name: Sidaction. The rule of Sidaction is to share each and every euro equally; which is also my aim. In this way, half will go towards research, with the other half going towards helping those affected by the virus. This is the model I wish to promote.

FdR: Was it you who created this model?
PB: Indeed we did create it. Sidaction created it. In 1994 we thoroughly opposed the establishment who wanted the money to be managed by someone of their own choosing, which of course I understood. It is precisely because we are both judge and jury that we want to be the judge. We really are the only ones who truly know AIDS, and of course the fight against the virus. Even today, we are alone in our quest. We do not wish to be under the direction of a civil servant from the State Council or from anywhere else for that matter who would have the authorisation to manage this money. I do not think we have done such a bad job at handling the funds, as we just received the French Audit Office’s blessing. As you can imagine, we were extremely pleased.

FdR: Speaking of which, what is your position with regards to charitable projects and medical research?
PB: In my role as president of Sidaction, I try to be neutral, striking an honest balance between the two. Coming from a charitable background, I am equally enthralled by medical research. I carry a lot of affection for doctors and scientists such as professors Delfraissy, Kazatchkine, Christine Rouzioux and Professor Lévy who are figureheads in AIDS research.

FdR: Do you support any other charitable causes?
PB: Absolutely. I have decided to create what is known as an endowment fund, a far more modern organisation and easier to manage than the Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent Foundation which is essentially aimed at promoting Yves Saint Laurent’s work and supporting cultural events. This endowment fund will allow for more scope in the battle against the AIDS virus through Sidaction, in order not only to fund HIV research, but other diseases such as brain cancer, of which Yves Saint Laurent died.

FdR: Do you wish that your funds go mainly towards the people affected by AIDS in such places where the population has no healthcare, such as in Africa for example?
PB: That is a very good point and my answer of course, is yes. It is quite clear today that the fight against AIDS must all together take place on African soil. Both for cultural and financial reasons. On a cultural level because it is relatively easy to speak of AIDS and contraception in Western countries, whereas in Africa it is just so difficult. Just speaking about the use of condoms and the procuring medications is extremely complicated in Africa. Thus it is there that we should concentrate all our efforts because if we don’t, what we may be witnessing in the years to come is the extirpation of an entire continent’s population.

FdR : Could this be one of Sidaction’s objectives?
PB : That is one of Sidaction’s objectives.

FdR: And now for my last question, well almost… Due to your patronage of these associations and your personal attachment with human rights, does this mean that you have faith in humankind and in our future?
PB: Hmm! Does one have to believe in mankind? I believe firmly in my idea of man. I don’t necessarily think that one should believe in mankind, however I do have my own thoughts on the idea. We are not here to entirely change the world but to change ourselves, in order to act on our own moral beliefs. I am a man of convictions. When I feel I lack one, I search for it. One does not need to look far, nor for very long. I have defended my convictions for my entire life, with tenacity. I shall strongly continue to persevere.

FdR: This therefore is the mark you wish to leave then : a man of convictions?
PB: You know, we mere mortals do not leave a mark! It is only the artists and men of genius who leave an eternal footprint. I am not an artist nor am I a genius. That’s just the way it is! So not a footprint, but a figment in people’s memories. That of a man of convictions, a man of passions and a man with curiosity.

FdR: A message perhaps…
PB: No, no message either… just a memory that will slowly evaporate with time.

FdR: Thank you Pierre.