PARIS, Oct 23 — Art Basel Paris, the biggest annual art fair in the French capital, said Thursday that it would shut this weekend, two days early, due to the risk of protests.

In a message to visitors, organisers said that “in light of potential demonstrations across Paris this weekend, and in the interest of safeguarding our visitors, exhibitors, partners, staff, and artworks,” the show would finish on Friday evening, instead of Sunday as originally planned.

The decision underlines widespread concern about the risk of a repeat of last weekend’s protests and looting, and will represent a major financial loss for Art Basel.

Tickets for the fair at the Grand Palais exhibition space cost €47 (RM219), with more than 200 galleries from around the world exhibiting work including paintings by Picasso and Basquiat.

The five-day event, which opened on Wednesday for professionals, welcomed 73,000 people last year.

French authorities have promised a 20 per cent increase in the number of security forces on the ground on Saturday, including soldiers, following looting and violence in cities around the country last Saturday.

There are two major sports events in Paris this weekend that will also stretch police resources: an NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon; and the Paris Saint Germain versus Lyon in Ligue 1 football later the same day. — AFP