Most people are familiar with the iconic red head with braided pony-tails, mismatched socks, and super strength – but are you familiar with her original name “Pippi Långstrump”?
That’s right – she’s Swedish! And today she turns 70 (all while staying 9 years-old)! Happy Birthday Pippi!
Pippi Långstrump is a staple in Swedish culture. The stories take place in a small Swedish village based on the authors own home town. I expect that Pippi books, clothing, dolls, and toys can be found in any Swedish household with a child. If you are interested in celebrating Pippi’s 70th anniversary then make your way to Skånsen (the open air museum in Stockholm) on Saturday for theater, songs, face painting, free giveaways and more! Find out more here
Why is Pippi so special? Pippi is no ordinary girl. She is a character that empowers children by being strong and playful, with a wild imagination, an appetite for adventure, the courage to be herself and an “I’ll do what I want, how I want” attitude – all while being independent enough to live on her own and cook and clean for herself.
Pippi is a real contrast to her Disney princess counter-parts and could be said to reflect the gender equality found in Sweden.
In 1945 Astrid Lindgren created Pippi as a bed time story for her sick daughter – and the rest is history. Astrid Lindgren is celebrated as the most beloved author in Sweden – she will even be featured on the reprinting of the 20 kronor bill later this year:
Pippi Långstrump is one of the most successful international books, having been translated to 70 languages, making Astrid Lindgren the 18th most translated Author and Pippi the 3rd most translated children’s books ever!
Pippi turning 70 is truly something to celebrate – for seven decades this little girl, her monkey, horse, and two best friends have been entertaining children (and adults) around the world while teaching them life long lessons.
She shows kids how to love themselves and the way they look:
“No, I don’t suffer from freckles […] I love them.”
She teaches confidence:
“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll always come out on top.”
She exemplifies that boys AND girls can BOTH be strong:
“’He’s the strongest man in the world.’ ‘Man, yes,’ said Pippi, ‘but I am the strongest girl in the world, remember that.”
She teaches everyone to try new things:
“I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that.”
She shows us that it’s okay to not fit into gender rolls:
“The ladies looked disapprovingly at her, but that didn’t bother her.”
She teaches us that experience is a form of education:
“Pippi could tie good knots, she could indeed. She had learned that at sea.”
She reminds us that we all come from different places and have different experiences, so fitting into society isn’t always so easy:
“At sea we were never so fussy about things like that.”
She teaches us to not waste time and enjoy the simple things:
“I can’t lie around and be lazy. I am a Thing-Finder, and when you’re a Thing-Finder you don’t have a minute to spare.”
She teaches us to be responsible:
“I tell myself [when to go to bed]. First I tell myself in a nice friendly way; then again more sharply, and then I get a spanking.”
She reminds us that sometimes bad things are innocent mistakes.
“Yes, it’s very wicked to lie […]But I forget it now and then.”
And to admit when you’ve made a mistake
“That was a lie, of course.”
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Thank you Pippi and Happy Birthday!
And thank you Astrid Lindgren for sharing your creation and imagination with the world.
Something Swedish 
May 21, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Grattis på födelsedag Pippi!
May 21, 2015 at 9:08 pm
Thank you for allowing me to remember some found memories from my childhood.