National Library's Cultural Collaboration with French Researcher Léon Dubois

As part of the National Library and Archives’ ongoing international cultural exchange programme, the Acting Director-General of the Library, Mr. Barq Raad Alawi, welcomed Léon Dubois, a photographer and representative of the French Embassy in Baghdad, on Tuesday. The visit forms part of the French Language Teaching Project (CELFI), aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The focal point of the visit was a collaborative research project centred on The Little Prince, the renowned work by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The research also seeks to uncover insights from Iraqi press archives about the author’s time in Iraq during 1940.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Alawi emphasised the importance of this initiative, highlighting the National Library’s extensive archive as a valuable resource to support the research. He underlined the role of the library in documenting and preserving a historical era rich with cultural intersections, which this project aims to bring to light.

In his remarks, Léon Dubois shed light on the timeless appeal of The Little Prince, which was translated into Arabic by Iraqi translator Abdelilah Sabahi in 1989. Dubois noted that the story encapsulates universal human values, making it a fitting subject for cross-cultural exploration. He also underscored the CELFI project as a key avenue for strengthening cultural ties between Iraq and France.

This collaboration stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between the two nations and their shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage while exploring common values through literature and history.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities