Russians remember their favourite Swede
Published 15 November, 2007, 11:33
The author of Pippi Longstocking and Karlsson-on-the-Roof would have turned 100 on November 14. The Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren gained children’s hearts all over the world. But it’s in Russia that she has probably found the most devoted little readers.
During her lifetime Lindgren often travelled to Russia, attending festivals, organising film-shoots, and meeting young fans.
Many Russians now travel to their favourite writer's country – together with their children, who love Lindgren's books just as much.
“We have a lot of Russian visitors. Karlsson-on-the-Roof is very popular in Russia, so there are a lot of Russian visitors,” says Jenny Helldahl, museum worker.
Karlsson-on-the-Roof – favourite cartoon of Russian children
While in the rest of the world Lindgren is most remembered for Pippi Longstocking, in Russia it’s the eccentric Karlsson with a small propeller on his back.
For several generations of Russian children Karlsson has also been a favourite cartoon character. Still, even adults do not mind watching the adventures of the funny man “in the prime of life”, often quoting his sayings that have become common-place.
Astrid Lindgren died in 2002 aged 94, but her characters live on in children's imagination.
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