Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in Helsinki in October 1992, during a conference.

With Salman Rushdie

Photos by Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy met Salman Rushdie in October 1992 in Helsinki, during the assembly of the Nordic Council. This first meeting took place during what was for the author of “The Satanic Verses” his first public appearance since the fatwa issued against him by Ayatollah Khomeini. A few weeks later BHL initiated, through his magazine La Règle du jeu, the coming of Rushdie – then a member of the editorial board – in France, by inviting him to come and meet his supporters such as Jack Lang, Simone Veil, Elie Wiesel, Umberto Eco… For thirty years, the two men have been linked with a strong friendship. The philosopher will write about Salman Rushdie and his courage: “What struck me, during all these years, is the quiet heroism of my friend.”

First meeting between Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in Helsinki in October 1992, during a conference. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in Helsinki in October 1992. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Gabi Gleichman, Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in Helsinki in October 1992, during the annual meeting of the Nordic Council. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie at the end of the conference given in Helsinki in 1992. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in Paris. ©Jacques Lange/Paris Match via Getty Images

Salman Rushdie, Bernard Kouchner, François Léotard and Bernard-Henri Lévy in Paris. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy, Salman Rushdie and François Léotard. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy, Salman Rushdie, Bernard Kouchner and François Léotard. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy, Elie Wiesel, Salman Rushdie, Jack Lang and Umberto Eco at the Universal Academy of Cultures. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in Paris, March 1993. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy, Jack Lang and Salman Rushdie in Paris, March 1993. ©SYGMA/Micheline Pelletier

Bernard-Henri Lévy and Salman Rushdie in London, April 1994. ©Jean Cazals

Bernard-Henry Levy, Padma Lakshmi Rushdie and Salman Rushdie at the Pen Montblanc Literary Gala, American Museum of Natural History, New York, April 20, 2005. ©Patrick McMullan