Uncovering the Forgotten Passage of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in Tunisia
Through a passionate investigation, writer and editor Samy Mokadem retraces the forgotten passage of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in Tunisia. From this erased memory, he proposes to create a unique cultural and heritage project: a memorial dedicated to the creator of "The Little Prince", to offer La Marsa a new literary and tourist light.
The Disappearance of a Literary Giant
French writer, editor, and reporter Antoine de Saint-Exupéry went missing off the Mediterranean coast on July 31, 1944. His influence has spread worldwide with his adventure stories and humanist reflections, continuing to inspire generations of readers and writers.
A Tribute to Saint-Exupéry
A fan of Saint-Exupéry, writer and editor Samy Mokadem published a novel in 2021 titled "Il était deux fois le Petit Prince" (He was the Little Prince twice), echoing the famous philosophical tale published in 1943. This "story for all ages and all times" holds the world record for translations with 600 languages and dialects. A version in Tunisian dialect exists, with an audiobook narrated by actor Jamel Madani. However, what is rarely discussed is that this mythical writer stayed in Tunisia in 1935. From his residence in La Marsa, he carried out reporting missions in southern Tunisia. This experience was recounted in his correspondence, which was collected and published, and is said to have inspired passages from his work "Terre des hommes" (Wind, Sand and Stars).
Uncovering the Lost Planet
Based on this information, Samy Mokadem has been conducting meticulous research on the concrete traces of Saint-Exupéry's passage, his "lost planet", for several years. He managed to precisely locate Saint-Exupéry's Tunisian home based on the biography of Captain René Gavoille, who hosted him. The story includes a photo of the "Rubens" villa in La Marsa Plage and indicates that the writer worked on his book "Citadelle" during his stay. The research continued with a call for testimony launched on social networks. The collected information was behind the idea of the project submitted by Samy Mokadem to the municipality of La Marsa: "And if the Little Prince's planet... was La Marsa?"
A Memorial to the Little Prince
The villa in question no longer exists, but its location is known. Mokadem proposes to "build a memorial in homage to his passage, ideally representing the Little Prince". He described the details as he imagines them and as they appear in the official request. "The interior would feature elements that tell his biography and details of his Tunisian experience, with an exhibition of audiobooks, watercolors, and collector's items, including stamps from the Post Office...". According to him, "La Marsa will shine under the spotlight of fans of the 'Little Prince' from around the world, and many will want to visit this city so dear to the author's heart." He even aspires to a possible "twinning opportunity with Lyon, his birthplace."
A Cultural and Tourist Opportunity
This ambitious project will certainly have significant cultural and tourist repercussions. Last year, an exhibition was dedicated to Flaubert, who also stayed in Tunisia, with conferences and a cultural buzz around the main event. Why not bring to the surface everything we know today and claim our "share of Saint-Exupéry"? Before moving on to the concrete realization of the construction project, we could perhaps start by announcing the information, organizing activities that promote their dissemination, and inviting academics, researchers, and writers to get involved in articles that highlight the impact of Tunisia on Saint-Exupéry's work.
A Path to Rediscovery
A path is open to link this great name in world literature to real indices. It remains to be seen whether a more in-depth search for testimony and documentation of the traces will be done before they are lost with time.
