The happiest place in the world

Astrid Lindgren

Think of the happiest time in your life and try to remember what you were doing at that time or where you were. Now imagine that you have thirty or forty people with you and they all feel the same as you. You’re all singing and dancing and having a great time and there’s a show going on that’s entertaining and funny – even if you don’t understand the language.  If this is happening in your imagination, you might just be at Junibacken in Stockholm. A recent trip to this haven of European children’s fiction is the topic of this week’s blog, along with the beloved children’s writer Astrid Lindgren.

Statue of Lindgren outside of Junibacken

In 1907 on the 14^th of November, in Vimmerby Sweden, the life of Astrid Anna Emilia Ericsson began.  She grew up in nearby Nas and many of her books are based on childhood memories and her own family. When Astrid finished school, she started working for the local newspaper.  She worked as a secretary and a journalist before becoming a full time author. Along the way she married her boss and had two children as well (just thought I’d add that because her name changed and you might have wondered how or why??)

In 1944, Lindgren won second prize in a competition for a story she had written, a year later she won first prize in the same competition with her book Pippi Langstrump, or as I know it, Pippi Longstocking.  This story has been translated into 60 languages making her the 18^th most translated author on the planet.

The display of her work for sale in the Junibacken book shop

Throughout her career, Astrid Lindgren won many awards for writing including the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen award in 1958, but the awards don’t just include her storytelling achievements. Astrid received the Right to Livelihood award in 1997 as she was all for children’s and animal rights and opposed corporal punishment. Her work was so renowned, that she even had a minor planet named after her which was discovered in 1978.

When I visited Stockholm and Junibacken, I did have intentions of perhaps taking a trip to Vimmerby to visit Astrid’s Wellspring and the museum, but Stockholm being Stockholm, I kind of ran out of time.  Please also note that on this particular blogspedition I was accompanied by my eldest son Brendan – my gift to him for a few years of neglect on my part.  So the holiday wasn’t just for me. Brendan enjoyed Junibacken and a quick look at Villa Villekulla which included singing and dancing and even though the performance was in Swedish, it was a lot of fun to watch and well worth the effort of travelling there.

The inside of Pippi Longstocking's house

Astrid Lindgren left us on the 28^th of January 2002, which makes her ninety four if my calculations are correct. I’ve always been a firm believer that the happier you are, the longer you live and if laughter is the best medicine, then bring on the clowns. My trip to Junibacken was a joy and after learning about this amazing woman and I can now tell you that Once upon a time in Stockholm, I set out on an adventure to the home of the strongest girl in the world and discovered the happiest place imaginable.