Celebrating 80 Years of The Little Prince: Alliance Française de Hong Kong and the University Museum and Art Gallery Present "The Little Prince and the Pilot" Exhibition

Alliance Française de Hong Kong, in partnership with the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), jointly announce the launch of The Little Prince and the Pilot Exhibition. Presented at HKU from 26 June to 18 October 2026, part of the French May Arts Festival, this highly anticipated cultural event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the first publication of The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) in France.

The poster of the exhibition

The exhibition is supported by the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation and The Little Museum of the World, and received generous sponsorship of IWC Schaffhausen, The University of Hong Kong Museum Society, as well as support from the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Banque Transatlantique and Gérard Bertrand.

Positioned as a major cultural milestone for Hong Kong, this multigenerational exhibition presents a unique thematic journey through the multi-faceted life of legendary author, aviator and artist Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944).

Thematic Journeys Through a Legendary Life

The exhibition unfolds as a journey through the life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, exploring the experiences that shaped the visionary behind The Little Prince.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his wife Consuelo visiting an air show

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his sister Gabrielle at her wedding to Pierre d’Agay in Saint-Maurice-de-Rémens, France

Through rare photographs, personal letters, family mementos, and sketches, visitors discover Saint-Exupéry’s early years, close friendships, and creative spirit. The journey continues through his remarkable career as an aviator, wartime pilot and hero, showcasing maps, flight documents, military artefacts, and personal effects that reveal his pioneering contributions to aviation and his enduring sense of adventure.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry lighting a lamp in Silvia Hamilton's apartment

The exhibition culminates with the creation of The Little Prince, featuring original manuscripts, drawings, first editions, and multilingual translations that trace the evolution of the beloved classic. Together, these rare artefacts offer a richly layered portrait of Saint-Exupéry as a writer, artist, explorer, and humanist whose legacy continues to inspire generations around the world.

‘One must not write fairy tales; I shall write a story about the aeroplane,’ wrote Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in his letter to “Loulou” (Louise de Vilmorin, the first great love and fiancée of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

Sketch of a Little Prince

In addition, eight life-sized coloured sculptures inspired by The Little Prince will be on display and available for pre-order, offering collectors and fans a unique way to celebrate the enduring legacy of Saint-Exupéry's beloved masterpiece.

To deepen the experience, tailored school tours, group visits, and curated guided tours can be organised upon request. There will be educational workshops organised by the University of Hong Kong as well as thematic French courses, Summer camps and learning activities at the three centres of Alliance Française in Hong Kong.

To mark the exhibition's opening, Adrien Guiraud, great-great-nephew of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and representative of the Saint-Exupéry–d’Agay family estate, will travel to Hong Kong for the occasion. Guiraud plays an active role in supporting exhibitions and cultural initiatives around the world. His visit underscores the family's ongoing commitment to bringing Saint-Exupéry's life, values, and literary legacy to new generations of readers and audiences.

The Little Prince on a planet, scarf in the wind, sitting at a table

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Period: 26 June, 2026 (Friday) to 18 October, 2026 (Sunday)

• Opening Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays); 1 pm–6 pm (Sundays). Closed on Mondays, Public and University Holidays

• Venue: 1/F, T. T. Tsui Building, UMAG, HKU, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

• Admission: Free admission; Entry via the ground floor of the Fung Ping Shan Building

Hong Kong and Cyprus enter into tax pact

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, had a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to China,Ms Koula Sophianou, in Hong Kong today (June 12) and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of Cyprus.

Mr Hui said, "This is the 58th CDTA that Hong Kong has concluded and also the third one this year, signifying the HKSAR Government's ongoing achievements in expanding the CDTA network. To date, the current-term Government has signed 13 CDTAs. We will continue to actively seek to sign CDTAs with more tax jurisdictions to enhance the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a business and investment hub.

"This week, we announced the Action Plan to Promote the Development of Corporate Treasury Centres in Hong Kong, which sets out targeted strategies to elevate Hong Kong as a major base for corporate treasury centres. Continued expansion of our CDTA network is one of the key strategies. Going forward, we will focus on engaging economies along the Belt and Road. This will provide Hong Kong-based enterprises with greater tax certainty and avoidance of double taxation when expanding their businesses overseas."

At the meeting, Mr Hui highlighted to Ms Sophianou the advantages of Hong Kong as an international financial centre and its latest developments, including its rise to become the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management centre and the efforts made to build an international gold trading market in Hong Kong.

Mr Hui added, "Cyprus is a participant in the Belt and Road Initiative and an important trading partner of Hong Kong in Europe. This CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Cyprus, which will enable investors to better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-boundary economic activities and avoid double taxation. This will help promote bilateral trade and investment."

In accordance with this CDTA, any tax paid by Hong Kong residents in Cyprus will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO). Moreover, Cyprus' withholding tax rates for Hong Kong residents on royalties, currently at up to 10 per cent, will be reduced to 3 per cent.

The CDTA will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will make an order under the IRO, which will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting. Details of the CDTA are available on the Inland Revenue Department's website.

Hong Kong and Cyprus enter into tax pact Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong and Cyprus enter into tax pact Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong and Cyprus enter into tax pact Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong and Cyprus enter into tax pact Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases