widow widow!Pippi Longstocking turns 80 – ten facts about the world’s strongest girl you probably didn’t know
Pippi Longstocking is still a childhood hero for many people today.
Imagine
Perhaps the youngest old woman in the world!
An impressive 80 years have passed since the first story “Pippi Longstocking” was published – although the popular character in films and series will remain nine years old forever. To commemorate the anniversary, we will tell you ten (curious) facts about the world of Pippilotta.
Fact 1: This is where the idea for the character “Pippi Longstocking” came from
On November 26, 1945, the first book about the story of little Pippi Longstocking was published in Sweden. In Germany it took four years longer before children could immerse themselves in the colorful world of the little rebel. However – and this brings us to the first fact – the anniversary of the manuscript has been celebrated on May 21, 2024.
The reason: The story of Pippi Longstocking goes back to Astrid Lindgren’s daughter, Karin Nymann (91).who in 1941 asked his mother for a story about a girl named “Pippi Longstocking”. Three years later he gave her the manuscript for her tenth birthday – on May 21, 1944.
Fact 2: Pippi Longstocking’s full name is…
Although this lively character became known as Pippi Longstocking, she actually had much more, and most importantly, quite a complicated name. Well, do you remember?
So: The main characters of popular children’s stories are called by their full names Princess Pippilotta Viktualia Rollgardina Peppermint Ephraim Longstocking.
Reading tips: The most beautiful first names from Astrid Lindgren’s stories
Fact 3: Did you know about “Pippi Longstocking Syndrome”?
Pippi Longstocking is known for her rebellious nature. Like the title of the song, he makes the world according to his wishes. People who live by this motto in the real world are often said to suffer from what is called “Pippi Longstocking Syndrome” (PLS).
PLS describes a state of oppression or denial of reality. People with PLS deny reality and close themselves off to new knowledge – so they reject advice. However: PLS is not an official medically recognized disorder.
Reading tips: Psychologists reveal: Here’s what your favorite children’s radio drama says about you
Fact 4: Perhaps the most famous Pippi Longstocking fan is…
Pippi Longstocking certainly has lots of celebrity fans. However, her most famous fan is probably former first lady Michelle Obama. In an interview with The New York Times, she once said: “Pippi Longstocking is my girl. I love her strength – not just her physical strength, but the idea that she can’t be bullied.”
And: “What I love most is that she’s a girl, she’s a little different, and she’s still the strongest character in the books.”
Fact 5: Pumuckl and Pippi Longstocking have something very special in common
What do the mischievous goblin Pumuckl and the strongest girl in the world have in common? Definitely a pretty important detail! Because: The rogue goblin Pumuckl was dubbed by Hans Clarin (†75). In Pippi Longstocking, the German actor plays the villain Donner-Karlsson.
By the way: The villains Blom and Prusseliese are also played by German actors – namely Paul Esser and Margot Trooger.
Video tip: Pippi, Tommy and Annika – here’s what the stars of Pippi Longstocking are up to today
Fact 6: Voice actress Pippi Longstocking also lent her voice to Tommy
For the television series, Tatort actress Eva Mattes (70) gave her voice to Pippi Longstocking and her actress Inger Nilsson (66). In the film, Nilsson was later dubbed by Andrea L’Arronge. Because – interesting facts: Eva Mattes nicknamed Pippi’s best friend Tommy in the films – no kidding!
Reading tips: The best Pippi Longstocking sayings
Fact 7: 8,000 children want to play Pippi Longstocking
Talking about Pippi actress Inger Nilsson: The then ten year old Inger beat 8,000 (!) applicants in the casting for the role of Pippi Longstocking.
How? According to reports, she is said to naturally reflect little Pippilotta’s mischievous and carefree nature. Inger Nilsson got the role of her life. However: A big acting career did not materialize. After leaving school, Nilsson initially worked as a secretary before taking on several roles in film and television.
Fact 8: Pippi Longstocking almost did not appear in Germany
After Astrid Lindgren gave her daughter the manuscript, she sent it to the publisher – she ended the attached letter with the words “Hope you don’t tell the youth welfare office!”
Pippi Longstocking almost did not appear in Germany. Five publishers are said to have rejected the story of the world’s strongest girl because it was considered too unconventionalwhen one of his books fell into the hands of publisher Friedrich Oetinger during a visit to Sweden. He spontaneously met the writer Astrid Lindgren. After only three chapters he was convinced “of the book, which was so different from all other children’s books.” This is how “science publisher Friedrich Oetinger became a children’s book publisher,” according to the publisher’s publications. Oetinger also published other Lindgren classics such as Ronja Robber’s Daughter and Michel of Lönneberga.
Reading tips: Psychologists are sure: We can still learn THAT from Michel of Lönneberga today
Fact 9: The original text of Pippi Longstocking had to be rewritten in 2009 – that’s why
Our fact number nine also relates to the German Oetinger Verlag: In 2009 they revised the original text of the story Pippi Longstocking Colonial or racist words such as “Negro” were removed.
Since then, Pippi’s father was no longer called the “Negro King” but the “King of the South Seas” and in the Taka-Tuka country no longer used “Negro language” but “Taka-Tuka language”.
Fact 10: What does Pippi Longstocking have to do with Frankfurt? Many!
Do you also feel transported back to your childhood as soon as the melody of the main song “Hey, Pippi Longstocking” sounds?
Or are you part of a group that thinks about football and its fan support? Because: The Eintracht Frankfurt fan song is actually based on the melody of the song Pippi Longstocking. Instead of “Hey, Pippi Longstocking” it was “Hey, Eintracht Frankfurt” and instead of “I have a house, a colorful house, monkeys and horses, they look out the window,” the Frankfurt fans sang “We have a dream, a sweet dream, the diva here from Main will be German champion again.”
Stream Pippi Longstocking on RTL+
You can stream the original radio play of the film Pippi Longstocking on RTL+ at any time. There you will also find all the other radio dramas about the strongest girl in the world, as well as other classic dramas by children’s book author Astrid Lindgren.
