After his remarks about Emmanuel Macron during a concert, which led to the opening of an investigation for “public provocation to commit a crime or an offence”, the singer Izïa Higelin comes out of silence.
“At no time did I want to incite violence or hatred.” After the controversy sparked by his remarks against Emmanuel Macron, Izïa Higelin breaks the silence. Last Thursday July 6, on the stage of the Nuits Guitare festival in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the French singer launched into a violent outing on Emmanuel Macron, describing a scenario in which she imagined the Head of State in Piñata giant, the crowd would be equipped with “huge bats with nails at the end as in Clockwork Orange (Clockwork Orange Editor’s note).“ An investigation for “public provocation to commit a crime or an offense” was opened against Izïa Higelin, indicated in the wake of the Nice prosecutor’s office.
A controversy which had also caused the cancellation of his next concert, this Thursday July 13 in Marcq-en-Baroeul, on the occasion of the National Day and pushed Izïa Higelin to speak, explaining his remarks on stage . “I am very sorry that this was misinterpreted, decontextualized, she explains in the columns of West France. Obviously, at no time did I want to incite violence or hatred. It’s a story, an improvised and surreal link between two titles that talks about everything and nothing and that shouldn’t be taken at face value.”
In a democracy, it is not possible that one can be prosecuted for an artistic performance that cannot at any time be taken at face value.
In Macron’s France, yes.#IziaHigelin pic.twitter.com/FRHX2PUtPr— Marcel (@realmarcel1) July 8, 2023
And to add: “At no time in my concerts, do I incite violence or hatred. They are always places of benevolence and love, madness and improvisation.” For her release, Izïa Higelin is taking a big risk. Public provocation to commit a crime or misdemeanor is punishable by a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros.