Launch ceremony for the Pali translation

The launch ceremony for the translation into Pali, the language of Buddhist monks, took place on 24 March 2026 at the Sukhumala Dhammuthit School within the magnificent Wat Phra temple in Bangkok.

The event was impeccably organised by the Thai Association of French Teachers and the project’s director, Mr Supoj Lokunsombat.

It took place under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the niece of the King of Thailand.

The ceremony was presided over by the Venerable Somdet Phra Maha Teerajarn, abbot of Wat Phra.  Notable attendees and speakers included the French Ambassador, Mr Jean-Claude Pointboeuf, Mr Nicolas Delsalle, representative of the Saint Exupéry Foundation for Youth, and Mr Jean-Marc Probst, president of our foundation.

Before an audience of over 300 people, the speakers highlighted the many commonalities between the teachings of Buddhism and the messages contained in The Little Prince: spirituality, humanity and universality, but also generosity, kindness and responsibility.

The evening before the event, the French Ambassador and his wife hosted the key contributors to this translation at their residence for a dinner centred on *The Little Prince*, both in conversation and on the menu.