National treasure: writings by philosopher Michel Foucault

A news report in English about recent events in relation to the recent designation of Foucault’s archives as a national treasure. Source: Arts Media Agency site, 5 June 2012

The partner of famous French philosopher Michel Foucault putting some 37,000 pages of the late thinker’s writings up for auction. According to the Government, they are a national treasure. Consequently, they cannot leave the country.

Valued at €3.8m, the State has to gather this sum for 2015 as numerous American universities have stated their intention to buy these writings. The French Government told the Journal Officiel that it considered these archives as “essential for the study and comprehension of Michel Foucault’s work.” These writings, dating from the middle of the 1960s until the philosopher’s death in 1948, include lecture notes, manuscripts copies, and studies necessary to the writing of his books.

The Bibliothèque Nationale…