Pippi Longstocking turns 80: a rebel myth endures

Pippi Longstocking, the iconic red-haired character created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, celebrates 80 years since her first adventure was published in 1945. To mark the anniversary, Italian publisher Salani has released a complete edition featuring illustrations by Ingrid Vang Nyman and translations by Annuska Palme Sanavio, Samanta K. Milton Knowles, and Donatella Ziliotto. The character was born from a story Lindgren told her daughter, who requested a tale with a bizarre name. Pippi lives alone in a countryside villa with a monkey and a horse, possessing superhuman strength and a chest of gold coins that grant her freedom. Despite her anarchic spirit, she is not a rebel but rather curious about social conventions, as noted by adult readers. The preface by Elisabetta Gnone describes Pippi's braids and suspenders as symbols of courage and liberty across decades. The article reflects on the bittersweet reality that even Pippi's utopia relies on wealth and strength, invoking Mark Fisher's concept of 'capitalist realism.' Nevertheless, Pippi continues to inspire questioning of norms and embracing eccentricity.