“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was first published in 1943. In the 80 years since its publication, it has become one of the best-selling books of all time and has been translated into more than 500 languages ​​and dialects around the world. In honor of his eightieth birthday, the eponymous character found his way to a New York sidewalk: the Villa Albertine, a French cultural institution, unveiled a bronze statue that will greet all who walk down Fifth Avenue.

Someone should find the Little Prince on the streets of Manhattan. After all, the book was written in New York and Northport, Long Island, where Antoine de Saint-Exupéry lived from 1940 to 1943, having left his homeland due to the Second World War. In addition, the original manuscript and drawings are housed in the Morgan Library and Museum. “New York is a city known for its multiculturalism, it is a blend of various cultures,” said Jean-Hugues Monier, Board Member of the American Society of Le Souvenir Français. ““The Little Prince” is a story that celebrates the importance of such multiculturalism and mutual understanding, reminding us that we humans are all connected, even if we come from different pasts».

The Little Prince

The statue was created by French artist Jean-Marc de Pas from clay and cast it in brass in his studio in Normandy. Standing 1.21 meters tall, it is perched on the wall that encloses the garden of the Payne Whitney Mansion on the Upper East Side. “We are all very proud that the Little Prince will now have a proper presence in the city where he was born. Undoubtedly, this beloved sculpture will delight New Yorkers and tourists of all backgrounds who will be able to sit next to it and gaze up at the stars with it.“, commented the president of the American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Thierry Chaunu.

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The Little Prince

The Little Prince