JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963) Poster for the Triumph of Saint-Cyr ceremony, 1951

«Triumph of Saint-Cyr - Promotion of Garigliano - 29 July 1951 at Saint-Cyr - Coëtquidan - Morbihan». Printed by «Les Nouvelles», Rennes. Illustrated with a drawing by Cocteau: «Honneur à Saint-Cyr - Sans le cérémonial, tout meurt - A genoux les hommes, debout les officiers» «Honour to Saint-Cyr - Without ceremony, everything dies - Men kneel, officers stand» 65 x 49 cm At the Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan military academy (AMSCC), the Triumph ceremony marks the end of the schooling for the officer cadets of the special military school (ESM), the joint military school (EMIA) and the midshipmen’s military school (EMAC) every year in July. It is also the occasion for the officers of the specialties (ODS) to receive their stripes and the name of the new ESM promotion. For two days the AMSCC also organises the International Military Book Festival and allows the public to meet new authors. In the evening, the ceremony is presided over by the highest civilian and military authorities.