1 - HERGÉ

HERGÉ The Adventures of Tintin Tintin in Tibet Graphite pencil on paper for the first panel of page 56 of this album, published in 1960 by Casterman. First published in the magazine *Tintin* No. 41, October 14, 1959. An exceptional and historic document: Tintin and Tchang, who had not seen each other since *The Blue Lotus*, are finally reunited. An iconic postwar album, deeply personal, centered on the main characters (the extraordinary duo from *The Crab with the Golden Claws* has been reunited) and on Hergé himself, who found the creation process as a form of therapy. 16.5 x 34.3 cm. To understand the significance of this moment—one of the most moving in all of Tintin adventures—one must go back in time to China in 1935, when the reporter from *Le Petit Vingtième* was discovering the Far East. The terrible flooding of the Yangtze, which had washed away the railroad connecting Shanghai to Hou-Kou, had created the circumstances for Tintin to save the life of a young Chinese boy who had lost his parents and was being swept away by the raging river. The story could have ended there; they could have parted ways after shaking hands, but they decided to continue the journey together. “I might face serious dangers…” Tintin had warned, however. And Tchang, without hesitation, replied, “Well, then!… Together, we’ll be stronger!” Words that proved prophetic for both of them. A unique bond of friendship was thus sealed that day. And *The Blue Lotus* ended with a memorable farewell scene—tears of sadness mingled with joy on both sides, and an ocean liner that, after sounding its horn, , slowly pulled away from the dock where Mr. Wang and Tchang, the orphan who had just found a new family, waved goodbye to Tintin one last time. Neither of them had imagined that this parting would be only temporary. One fine day, much to Tintin’s surprise—and to his delight—Tchang announced that he was coming to Europe. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm this sparked was short-lived, for terrible news arrived almost immediately. As if history liked to repeat itself, in *Tintin in Tibet*, it is yet another catastrophe that will lead to the reunion of the two friends: following a storm, the plane carrying Tchang crashed into a mountain. But before that, there were many trials to overcome. First and foremost, despondency and despair: many believed it was too late and that the chances of finding survivors in such a hostile environment are virtually nil, and that it is pointless to risk several lives trying to rescue someone who has surely already died of cold or exhaustion. It would be madness. Without really knowing why, Tintin remains convinced that Tchang is still alive; he is deeply convinced of it; something irresistible drives him, and nothing can deter him. Despite the warnings, and ignoring the dangers that await him, he therefore decides to set out for Nepal. The expedition quickly discovers the mangled wreckage of the plane, and then not much else, except for a few scant clues that might suggest Tchang survived. If that is the case, where on earth could he be? Time is running out. No one must forget that this vast territory bordering the heavens is sacred, and that the White Goddess grants no favor whatsoever to those who dare to venture there. For Tintin, Haddock, and Tharkey, their Sherpa, the difficulties will mount, testing their endurance at every turn: a violent snowstorm will arise and force them to slow down; for hours on end, surrounded by austere, impassable walls, they will have to walk in absolute silence and solitude; then, nearly at the end of their strength, they will be swept away by an avalanche, but fortunately they will be rescued by Tibetan monks who will welcome them into their monastery. An unshakable faith—irrational and unreasonable in the eyes of everyone else, but perfectly justified in his own eyes—will have enabled Tintin to find Tchang, weakened and sick, in the yeti’s lair. *Tintin in Tibet* is not merely a story of uplifting friendship; there is something profound and poignant in all of this that makes this tale of dreams and premonitions—where the shadow of death looms from the very first pages—unlike can be compared to any other—something bordering on the marvelous—an inner adventure disguised as a Himalayan expedition.