Who is Sylvain Tesson?
Sylvain Tesson, born in 1972, is a French writer and adventurer known for his travels across the world and his literary works, which highlight the relationship between humans and nature. A geographer by training, he has journeyed through the Himalayas, Central Asia, and Siberia, inspiring many of his books. Winner of the Prix Médicis for In the Forests of Siberia (Dans les forêts de Sibérie), he is also recognised for his commitment to ecology and biodiversity conservation. His writings invite readers to reconnect with nature and reflect on humanity’s place in the world.
A passionate advocate for wild nature, Sylvain Tesson uses his travels and writings to raise awareness of environmental issues and the need to protect natural ecosystems. His poetic and philosophical approach to nature inspires a wide audience and helps strengthen engagement in environmental conservation.
The Film "La panthère des Neiges" (The Velvet Queen)
The Yves Rocher Foundation had the honour of supporting and screening The Velvet Queen (La Panthère des Neiges) at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Nature en Fête festival. This documentary, directed by Marie Amiguet and Vincent Munier, follows Sylvain Tesson and Vincent Munier on their quest to find the elusive snow leopard in Tibet. The film is based on Sylvain Tesson’s book of the same name, which won the Prix Renaudot in 2019. By screening this film, we aimed to raise public awareness of the beauty and fragility of biodiversity while emphasising the importance of nature conservation.
More than just a documentary, The Velvet Queen (La panthère des Neiges) is a journey into a wild and mysterious world, where humans and nature coexist in a delicate balance. By sharing this adventure with audiences, we hope to encourage reflection on our relationship with the environment and the actions we can take to protect endangered species and their habitats.
The Book "Au Nom de l'Arbre" (In the Name of the Tree)
The Yves Rocher Foundation is proud to have collaborated with Sylvain Tesson on the book In the Name of the Tree (Au nom de l’Arbre), published by Albin Michel. This book pays tribute to trees and those committed to their protection. Sylvain Tesson wrote the preface, underlining the vital role of trees in sustaining our planet. In partnership with the Yves Rocher Foundation, each copy sold contributes to planting five trees, thanks to Afac-Agroforesteries. This initiative is part of our PlantForLife programme, which seeks to plant trees worldwide to preserve biodiversity and support local communities.
In the Name of the Tree (Au nom de l’Arbre) is a moving testament to the importance of trees in our ecosystems. By showcasing reforestation efforts around the world, it encourages readers to take action in protecting these giants of nature. Our collaboration with Sylvain Tesson on this project reflects our shared commitment to nature and our desire to raise public awareness of environmental challenges.
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