Astrid Lindgren was born 1907 in Vimmerby, and passed away 2002 in Stockholm, and is among the world's most read writers of children's books. Her works have been translated to 95 languages, and have sold more than 140 million copies worldwide.
Understand
[edit]Astrid Lindgren was also an avid political activist, most famously for children's rights and animal welfare. In 1976 she also got attention for reaching a marginal tax rate at 102 per cent, responding with a satirical fairy tale.
Most of her stories take place in her native Småland, though she has also used Stockholm and other places in Sweden as settings. Some of them, including Emil and Bullerbyn describe Nordic folk culture and peasant lifestyle of the early 20th century, as Sweden industrialized and urbanized. Other stories, such as Ronia and Lionheart, are inspired by folk tales and medieval history.
Many of her stories have been adapted to motion pictures.
“ | Everything great that happened in life, happened first in someone's fantasy. | ” |
—Astrid Lindgren |
Destinations
[edit]- 1 Astrid Lindgren's World (Vimmerby), ☏ +46 492-798 00. Daily mid May-Aug. Weekends in Sep. An outdoor theme park in Astrid Lindgren's hometown.
- 2 Astrid Lindgrens näs. A museum of the life and works of Astrid Lindgren.
- 3 Junibacken ([ˈjʉːniˈbakən]), Galärvarvsvägen, ☏ +46 8 587 230 00. Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof and numerous other children's books, is by far Sweden's most popular writer of children's books. Located on the Djurgården island, like many other child-friendly attractions, Junibacken could be described as an indoor theme-park dedicated to the world of her (and a few other Swedish writers') stories. There is also a restaurant.
- 4 Astrid Lindgren's home. Astrid Lindgren lived in this Stockholm apartment from 1941 until her death in 2002. Open for visitors since November 2015. Reservations only.
- Vulcanusgatan (Stockholm). One of Astrid's addresses in Stockholm. Home of Karlsson-on-the-Roof.
- 5 Visby. The 1969 TV series Pippi Longstocking was recorded here.
- 6 Tegnérlunden (Stockholm/Vasastan). The prologue of Mio, My Child ("Mio, min Mio) is set here. The park also features a statue of Astrid Lindgren.
- 7 Lönneberga (Hultsfred). Setting of Emil of Lönneberga.
- 8 Filmbyn Småland (Mariannelund, Eksjö). The small town of Mariannelund featured in Emil of Lönneberga. The Emil films were shot here.
- 9 Sevedstorp (Vimmerby). A village that inspired the Bullerbyn (Noisy Village) series.
- 10 Norröra (Stockholm archipelago). The TV series Vi på Saltkråkan was recorded here. The story was to some extent inspired by Astrid's summers in Furusund.
- 11 Järsta gård (Brogården, Uppsala countryside). Stand-in for Junibacken when Madicken was recorded.
- 12 Söderköping. Town scenes of Madicken were recorded here.
- 13 Vaxholm Fortress (Vaxholms fästning) (Vaxholm, Stockholm archipelago). A fortress which has guarded Stockholm's harbour since the 16th century. Some scenes of a 1970 Pippi Longstocking film was shot here. Since 2003, the fortress is a museum.
- 14 Sörknatten (Dalsland). Main setting of the 1984 film Ronia, and the location of the robbers' castle.
- 15 Haga slottsruin (Solna). Some castle scenes of Ronia were set here.
- 16 Tykarpsgrottan (Hässleholm). Some interior scenes of Ronia were set here.