The prefect of Lozère and L'Ours de granit publish a collection of poetry for new French naturalized citizens

Le recueil “24 poèmes pour 2024” a été présenté ce vendredi 5 janvier 2024. Midi Libre – Lucas Manouvrier

La maison d'édition lozérienne L'Ours de granit a conseillé et a aidé Philippe Castanet, le préfet de la Lozère, à choisir 24 poèmes pour 2024. 

"During the naturalization ceremonies, I wanted to offer something, confides Philippe Castanet, the prefect of Lozère. It's always an emotional moment for them, which they remember for a long time." Until now, new French people only received, upon naturalization, their paper and the words of the Marseillaise. Not enough, or not symbolic enough for the state representative in Lozère. So the idea of ​​creating a collection of poems has been brewing for several years. "Poetry is peace in essence." In 2023, a ministerial call for projects aimed at modernizing naturalization ceremonies is launched. The prefect took the opportunity to present his project and it was accepted. 

From May 2023, he got in touch with the Lozère publishing house L'Ours de granit. Then begins selection work to keep only 24 poems… for 2024! All in 48 pages. “We have almost 1,000 years of poetry", rejoices Bernard Vanel, founder of L'Ours de granite. When the choice of poems was made, an illustrator was commissioned to add life and color to the work. "We had to do something very first degree, very accessible to public", explains the painter Stéphanie Pradier.

5,000 copies

Once the work was completed, the order was placed: 5,000 copies were printed, for 22,000 € cost, entirely covered by the State. And already, the collection is finding interested parties in other departments. "Several prefects have ordered books", assures Philippe Castanet. Books that he will not fail to sign. 

In his foreword, Philippe Castanet recalls the intention of this collection:  "This selection of poems brings together and highlights some famous pages of our history [ …] This collection also pursues the modest objective of opening a perspective, of giving the desire to go further in the discovery of French poetry because if this is the reflection of this that we, French, are, it is also the most authentic and most beautiful thing we have to offer to those who choose to become a nation with us."

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