I’m Swedish and one of my favorite writers is the world famous Astrid Lindgren. She would’ve become 100 years this November if she were still alive. My friend Maria wrote about it on her blog (no longer online) on the 14th of November and a lot of people did. I didn’t make a post then, but why not now? Happy Birthday Astrid, you will live forever in my heart.
I’ve started a Astrid Lindgren group pool over at flickr.com, please join if you too are a fan of Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking, Emil, Ronia, Birk, The Brothers Lionheart, Madicken, Lotta on Troublemaker Street, Mio my Mio – or any of her other characters. My favourits of flickr photos so far is two graffiti ones, this image of Peppi Pitkötossu in Finland and Pippi Langstrumpf in Germany. I think Pippi would love the the thought of her image being illegally put up on a wall.
Open up Your Window – a page from my first Art journal, February 2005.
On the day that Astrid was buried in 2002 I was working in Stockholm. I think it was on my lunch break that I went out on the cold November day and stood with thousands of other people on the side walk, waiting to catch a glimpse of the black blank carriage that was drawn by several white horses. I guess I wanted to pay my respect to her by being there, standing in silence. The horses where speeding by, I didn’t see much but I think I took a blurry photo and then went back to work, in silence.
On of things that I really love about Astrid Lindgren was her beautiful voice. No one can read her stories like she could. I had all of them on tape when I was a kid (great for holidays with long hours in the car or at bed time), and I love how her voice sounds so nice and calm but at the same time very funny and full of mischief!
For example, listen to her Julberättelser – as Astrid reads the Christmas story from her book about Madicken (a.k.a. Meg of June Hill)… Now that is a sweet voice to hear.
I’m so glad I got to grow up with her stories, I think all children should be able to spend time with her characters.
What a coincidence! Today I was in a bookstore and ask about Astrid biography! They wold order it for me during that week!
Thank you so much for this wonderful post today! I had never heard of Astrid Lindgren but after reading your blog I will order some of her books. I especially loved listening to her voice as she read the story. Thanks Hanna again!
I loved Pippi, one of my favourite childhood books! In Poland she was called “Fizia Pończoszanka”. *^v^*
Hullo!
I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago.. and wow! – inspiration, creativity, playfulness, experimentation, and really, really beautiful work! I love your photos and your out-of-the-box approach; you’ve really inspired me and I keep coming back to keep the ideas flowing.
Thanks for sharing.. and give your kitty a pet or two from me! :)
I loved Pippi! I remember once trying to get my pigtails to stick out horizontally from my head with a coat hanger, but couldn’t get it to work!
I grew up with Astrid Lindgren’s books too.
Pippi especially is being passed over from generation to generation. In Holland she is called Pippi Langkous.
I loved Pippi Longstocking as a kid! Actually, those are books I re-read well into my teenage years.
I am not familiar with her other books — I will have to see if I can find them here.
Pippi was my hero when I was a girl. Sadly, I didn’t grow up to be nearly as brave as she, but I still wear the funky knee high socks:)
You have a wonderful blog,
I ‘ll put a link on mine, hope that’s OK.