From the point of view of the French edition of Saint-Exupéry’s works things are moving – Gallimard is relaunching new editions of Saint-Exupéry’s novels in its folio collection. We begin with the new edition of Courrier Sud (Southern Mail). Saint-Exupéry’s first book and first success sold more than two million copies in France.

“In order to exist, we need to have lasting realities around us”

Southern Mail tells the story of Jacques Bernis, an Aéropostale aviator, who carries the mail to South America. In the face of solitude and danger Jacques looks for meaning in his life.

Coming soon is the story of Yvette O’Brien, a French woman living in Northport. Saint-Exupéry wrote The Little Prince in this New Jersey town. In 2006 Yvette instigated the project to erect a statue of The Little Prince to celebrate the book’s 60th anniversary.

Once a teacher, Yvette Obrien gave French lessons to children with the help of The Little Prince. Yvette talked to us about her connection with the Little Prince and very soon we will be telling you all about it.

These photos were taken in a school in Pigué, 150 km west of Bahia Blanca (Argentina).

Some even call him the Little Prince of French music, but his real name is Raphaël and he is a star firmly fixed in the firmament of today’s French pop music scene. One of the tracks he sings on his album entitled “Je sais que la terre est plate” is “Concordia”, a song that relates directly to the work of Saint-Exupéry:

“Dans un petit avion je me suis posé
C’était vers Concordia dans une autre vallée
Deux enfants m’ont guidés car j’ai brisé ma roue”

(which translates roughly as: I landed in a light plane, it was near Concordia, in another valley; two children were my guides, because my landing gear was smashed)

For a better understanding of the resonance of these words, read “Wind, Sand and Stars” again, or our December news story in which we mentioned a delightful encounter between Saint-Exupéry and two young girls in the neighbourhood of… Concordia, in Argentina. And Raphaël has something else in common with Saint-Exupéry: he, too, is a pilot.

In another style entirely, Gilbert Bécaud used to sing a song entitled Le Petit Prince est revenu (the Little Prince is back). And Gérard Lenorman, a successful singer of the 1970s, paid tribute to him directly in his song, Le Petit Prince (1972).

The classically trained choreographer studied at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and the John Cranko School in Stuttgart before developing her own broadly contemporary dance style. For this dance version of The Little Prince, she not only created the choreography but also turned her hand to every artistic aspect of the production, from set design to costumes. The score is by René Aubry, to which Gonzalez has added the voices of the dancers, reading out extracts from the text and the video. 

In this adaptation, Florencia Gonzalez is keen to bring out the love story between the Little Prince and his rose. The worlds he visits on his travels are not confined to a single character, but include the impression that these worlds create: a certain absurdity that calls to the Little Prince.

Sporting the colours of the website, the YouTube channel presents all the news about the Little Prince in pictures. Shows from around the world, interviews with fans… subscribe to the channel for exclusive news about the Little Prince, scenes from past shows and interviews. Join us on Little Prince TV, and feel free to share your favourite videos with your friends.

Estelle from Valence (26) gave the answer of 6,109 and wins a copy of La Mémoire du Petit Prince by Jean-Pierre Guéno, as does Thierry, whose guess was 6,102.

La Mémoire du Petit Prince offers a key to knowing and understanding what kind of man Saint-Exupéry was. A book not to be missed, and to be shared with everyone you know.

For lovers of antiquarian books, the 13th book fair will feature over 10,000 volumes, some dating back to the 16th century, others luxury imprints of more recent works. All the professions engaged in the making of a book will be represented, with bookbinders, calligraphers and restorers giving demonstrations of their skills. 

13e Salon du Livre Ancien – March 26th (5 to 8 p.m.), 27th (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 28th (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at the Abbatiale Saint-Ouen church. Admission free.