Le Monde des religions, January-February 2006 —
Just a year ago, in January 2005, the new format of Le Monde des Religions was launched. This gives me the opportunity to talk to you about the editorial and commercial evolution of the magazine. This new format has borne fruit, as our publication has seen very strong growth. The average circulation of the magazine for 2004 (under the old format) was 38,000 copies per issue. In 2005, it reached 55,000 copies, an increase of 45%. You had 25,000 subscribers at the end of 2004; today you have 30,000. But it is above all newsstand sales that have seen a spectacular leap, jumping from an average of 13,000 copies per issue in 2004 to 25,000 copies in 2005. In the rather gloomy climate of the French press – most publications are declining – such growth is truly exceptional. I would therefore like to extend my warmest thanks to all our subscribers and loyal readers who have ensured the success of Le Monde des Religions. However, we must not declare victory too soon, as we are still on the cusp of achieving viability, which lies above 60,000 copies. We are therefore counting on your continued loyalty and your desire to spread the word about Le Monde des Religions to ensure the magazine's long-term viability. Many of you have written to us to offer encouragement or share your criticisms, and I thank you most sincerely. I have taken some of your comments into account to further develop your magazine. You will notice in this issue that the "News" section has been removed. In fact, our bimonthly publication schedule and the very advanced deadlines for finalizing the issue (approximately one month before publication) do not allow us to keep up with the pace of current events. We have therefore followed through on the logic initiated with the new format, replacing the "News" pages with a major six-page article, which will appear at the beginning of the newspaper, immediately following the editorial, and which will be either a historical account or a sociological investigation. This is in response to the demand from many readers for more long and in-depth articles. This major article will be followed by a "Forum" section, an interactive space within the newspaper, which will give even more space to readers' letters, questions for Odon Vallet, reactions and columns from prominent figures, as well as humorous cartoons from various artists (Chabert and Valdor need a break). Consequently, the major interview has moved to the end of the magazine. I would also like to take this opportunity on this first anniversary to thank all those who fought to ensure that Le Monde des Religions could develop, starting with Jean-Marie Colombani, without whom this publication would not exist and who has always given us his support and confidence. Thanks also to the teams at Malesherbes Publications and its successive directors, who helped and supported us in our growth, as well as to the sales teams at Le Monde who successfully invested in promotion and newsstand sales. Finally, thank you to the small team at Le Monde des Religions, along with the columnists and freelance journalists associated with it, who work with enthusiasm to offer you a better understanding of religions and the wisdom of humanity.