The Arch in Valencia

Desmond Tutu to visit Valencia next weekend

Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Desmond M Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus and Patron of Team Shosholoza is to be honoured at the 2007 America's Cup on 9 June in Valencia.

Recognised worldwide as a leader in the crusade for justice and racial conciliation in South Africa and a principal mediator and conciliator in the country's transition to democracy, Archbishop Tutu will be in Valencia, Spain on Saturday 9 June for a VIP dinner hosted in his honour by Louis Vuitton, the principle partners of the America's Cup.

The Louis Vuitton dinner will be used to raise sorely need funds for the development of the Tygerberg Children's Hospital near Cape Town of which Tutu and his wife Leah are Patrons.

The Archbishop, who is a passionate supporter of sport, particularly rugby, cricket and now sailing and the America's Cup, will also be fulfilling his long held dream of stepping aboard South Africa's campaign yacht Shosholoza RSA 83. Crew members of Team Shosholoza who have remained in Valencia since the South Africans were ejected from the challenger selection series in seventh place earlier this month will join the Archbishop for a photo opportunity on the yacht.

Bruno Troublé said Archbishop Tutu's presence at the America's Cup would also highlight Team Shosholoza's success at the 2007 America's Cup. "Shosholoza has been over the last few years, a great ambassador of South Africa. If we remember something from this 32nd America's Cup and the Louis Vuitton Cup - aside of the winners! - it will certainly be Shosholoza - its spirit, its 'joie de vivre', its 'friendly approach'".

Prior commitments prevented Archbishop Tutu from visiting Valencia during the Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robins when Team Shosholoza was still fighting for a place in the semi-finals but despite his busy schedule he followed the team's progress and never failed to send inspirational messages of support and congratulations. The typically playful style of the 'Tutu emails' always signed 'The Arch' told their own story as they streamed in daily from around the globe: Kobe, Japan, Hawaii, Vietnam, San Diego, Malaysia….

Yves Carcelle, President of Louis Vuitton says: "Desmond Tutu is, and has been since 1984, a hero for the whole world. Louis Vuitton is very pleased to host a dinner in his honour. While we are all here having fun with a lot of people and sponsors, Archbishop Tutu's presence in Valencia will remind everyone how much Africa needs our support and friendship." Louis Vuitton, the world leader in luxury brands, already opened a shop in Johannesburg and will be present in Cape Town later this year.