New translations, new editions

  • 25 mars 2010
This news update is for all collectors and lovers of languages. A new edition of the Little Prince in Thai is to be published by RP Book. Marking the 60th anniversary of the Little Prince, this edition has a preface by Christian Depierre, Cooperation Attaché for French at the French Embassy in Thailand. In this preface, the diplomat speaks of how the tale may be perceived in a country that practices Buddhism: “The Little Prince’s quest is akin to a quest for karma”. In his view, the book is an invitation to meditation, something that might well appeal to those who already practice the discipline.

 

 

Ul principe pinin is the Ticinese translation of the Little Prince. Ticino is a largely Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland, but also home to an Italian dialect: Ticinese. This edition is translated by Marisa and Gianni Ballabio and published by the Istituo Editoriale Ticinese.

 

 

 D’r klein Prinz is Antoine Zipfel’s translation into Alsatian, a language wrongly considered foreign but in fact officially recognised as one of the languages of France! First published in 1995, this new edition is published by La Nuée Bleue. If you were wondering how to say “the fox” in Alsatian, the answer is d’r Fuchs!

 

Find out more: www.nueebleue.com

The man who studied Saint-Exupéry

  • 24 mars 2010
Few scholars have embarked on an in-depth study of the work of Saint-Exupéry, and of The Little Prince in particular. One who has done so, however, is Laurent de Galembert; as part of his university studies, he wrote a dissertation on the tale.

We will shortly be featuring an interview with Laurent de Galembert, in which he will talk to us about the books that he believes are key to a better understanding of The Little Prince and of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s work in general. Meanwhile, here is an article we published earlier about Laurent’s dissertation on La grandeur du Petit Prince – the grandeur of the Little Prince.

Gérard Philipe, the voice of our childhood

  • 23 mars 2010

For anyone in France aged between 30 and 50 or more, there is a strong chance that our first encounter with the Little Prince was interpreted by the voice of the actor who once played Fanfan la Tulipe: Gérard Philipe. It was in 1954 that the actor lent his voice to the aviator. Just like the book, the LP record was a hit with generations of children.

The Little Prince is a story that some readers want to believe in implicitly. The voices of Gérard Philipe, of Georges Poujouly in the role of the Little Prince and of Jacques Grello as the fox, transcend the emotive power of the tale.  Listening to this recording, we understand the Little Prince’s anger at the pilot too preoccupied by his aircraft, the importance of the lesson the fox teaches and the sadness of the aviator when he asks us to bring him news of the Little Prince.

 

A CD recording is now available, ensuring optimal sound quality. A great opportunity to travel back into childhood, and to take the youngsters of today along to meet a Little Prince anxious to share the tale of his travels with us.

 

CD available from the online store.

When the Little Prince goes to school…

  • 22 mars 2010
… he is there not as a pupil but to raise awareness among 8 to 11 year-olds of their responsibility to the environment. With the aid of interactive visuals quoting key passages from the book, pupils learn to rediscover their planet and how to be environmentally responsible citizens.

 

 

The Little Prince Workshops are an initiative launched by Veolia Environnement and are led by representatives of the non-profit association Eveil, « accompanied » by the Little Prince during their presentation. First of all, the children are introduced to Saint-Exupéry and his prince. The Little Prince is a boy who is forever wondering about the things that are important to humankind. Saint-Exupéry is presented as a daring pilot and a writer for whom friendship and humankind’s relationship with nature are favourite subjects.

 

 

Using a slide-show and richly illustrated documents, the children work on questions such as the richness and fragility of an eco-system or the impact of human activity on the environment.

 

 

All these subjects are addressed by way of the questions the Little Prince poses in the book:  « What does « ephemeral » mean?« , « What does « tame » mean? »

 

The famous baobabs, meanwhile, are a symbol of today’s dangers: the excess of CO2 that is causing the climate to change, the ice-caps to melt and sea levels to rise.

 

 

The Little Prince is a perfect choice for the task, since in the book he never stops asking questions about the essentials. Children today are in the same position with regard to the complexity of environmental and sustainable development issues. Now it is a child in their image guiding their first steps on the long path to environmental responsibility. At the end of the various workshops, each child has acquired real knowledge and can finally give an answer to the question: « What can I do to protect my planet?« 

 

 

Find out more :

What’s the temperature in the store?

  • 18 mars 2010

A harsh winter is behind us at last, and better weather is on the way. The mornings are still chilly, though, and it would be a good idea to take a look at the thermometer before setting off for school or work. The Little Prince online store has a range of lacquered metal thermometers, made in France.

 

A choice of three models is available: one represents the Little Prince taking flight, another the Little Prince in the desert, and the third the Little Prince and the fox.

 

Made by Editions Clouet, these thermometers give temperature readings in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit, and are guaranteed mercury-free. For indoor and outdoor use.

Admire them in the online store.

Please… draw me a portrait

  • 18 mars 2010

The Little Prince is a beautiful story, and meeting some people can make a fine story, too. Whether it is a businessman in Korea, a teacher in France, a video game developer in Brazil, a therapist in the south of France, all have an unusual story to do with the Little Prince, a story that influences their everyday life.

 

They are the modern-day proof of the tale’s unfading universality. Meet Mr. Han, Rafael, Emeline and Véronique in the “Portrait” section.

 

 

And feel free to tell us about how you first met the Little Prince.

Saint-Exupéry’s bracelet on display at the Musée de La Poste

  • 17 mars 2010
Historical note: on 31 July 1944, Saint-Exupéry was to fly a reconnaissance mission over the French coast in preparation for the Allied landings in the south of France. It was his ninth mission, even though he had initially only been authorised to fly five, since he was over the maximum age limit for a pilot. He took off at 8 a.m., with enough fuel for 6 hours in the air. At 1 p.m., there was no sign of his aircraft; by 2 p.m., all hope was lost. Commandant Saint-Exupéry never returned to base. In 1998, a fishing vessel off the Ile de Riou found an identity bracelet caught in one of its nets. The bracelet was carefully examined and authenticated as having belonged to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In the wake of this discovery, the search for his missing P-38 aircraft was stepped up; in 2003, the wreck of a P-38 was brought to the surface and authenticated by experts.

 

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s identity bracelet is the symbol of a mystery that has been hotly debated. Now the Musée de La Poste is exhibiting the bracelet in its “Treasures” display case in the Museum’s airmail room.

As part of its overall partnership with the Saint-Exupéry-d’Agay Estate, the Rhône-Alpes region of La Poste had already been involved with the Saint-Exupéry Centenary. This event is a further illustration of that continuing partnership.

 

the bracelet reads  “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Consuelo) – c/o Reynal & Hitchcock. 386, 4th Ave. NYC USA”. The address is that of Saint-Exupéry’s U.S. publishers.

 

The bracelet will be on display from 17 March to 16 May 2010, at the Musée de La Poste – 34 bd de Vaugirard Paris 15. Tel: 01 42 79 24 24 – www.ladressemuseedelaposte.fr

Did you know? Sportsman and friend of the Little Prince

  • 16 mars 2010

Books belong to everyone, and The Little Prince is no exception. This extraordinary little tale numbers celebrities from all walks of life among its fans, some of them sportsmen who include the books in their list of favourite works.

 

 

Footballer Lilian Thuram has never made a secret of his interest in literature. His preference is for thought-provoking books: “I’ve always believed reading is important in forging character”. That’s why the world champion footballer encourages his children to read books he describes as initiatory. The collection includes Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and… The Little Prince. “The kind of book that gives you confidence in your dreams,” as he puts it. After winning the World Cup with the French football team in 1998, Lilian Thuram is now an author in his own right.

 

 

Omar Hasan, who plays rugby for Stade Toulousain, confesses to keeping a copy of The Little Prince on his bedside table: “As far as I’m concerned, The Little Prince is a literary jewel; absolutely simple and utterly fine”.

Have you entered the competition?

  • 15 mars 2010

 

Two easy questions and a supplementary question! It’s simple and could win you great prizes: the giant pop-up book, for children and grown-ups to share, or the splendid “La Mémoire du Petit Prince” written by Jean-Pierre Guéno, a journal of Saint-Exupéry’s life “narrated” with love by the Little Prince. Discover previously unpublished writings and images about some of the highlights of Saint-Exupéry’s exciting life.

 

Last deadline for entries is midnight on 21 March. Head straight for the competition page – no time to lose!