21 May 2025

From Auckland to New York to Bratislava to Abuja – the whole world is celebrating Pippi!

Today is Pippi Longstocking’s birthday! It’s been 80 years since Astrid Lindgren’s first book about Pippi was published, and celebrations are taking place all around the globe. The book was actually released in November 1945, but May 21 has become Pippi’s unofficial birthday – because that’s the day Astrid Lindgren gave the first manuscript to her daughter Karin as a gift.

This year’s anniversary is visible and tangible – from global events to new books, music, and products. With the campaign Be More Pippi, Astrid Lindgren Company, together with numerous partners, is highlighting Pippi’s timeless values: courage, strength, and kindness. With her unbreakable will to stand up for the weak and challenge power and norms, Pippi continues to inspire to this day.

“We’re overwhelmed by the tremendous level of engagement. Thousands of schools and libraries around the world are celebrating, and more than fifty Swedish embassies are organising events. Everyone from IKEA in Bratislava, the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, and Auckland Writers Festival, to a the local preschool in Stockholm, is joining in to honour Pippi,” says Karolina Arenhäll Wersäll, Head of Brand & Marketing at The Astrid Lindgren Company.

In Berlin, the anniversary celebrations will include a world record attempt for the number of people dressed as Pippi Longstocking. The Open-Air Stage at Tivoli in Copenhagen is hosting a birthday party with a lively song and dance show with many of Pippi’s most beloved songs and The City Parks Foundation in New York is touring all summer with a Pippi marionette show.

Birthday Celebration at Skansen

Skansen in Stockholm has already held an anniversary celebration this May with thousands of visitors, which will be repeated in the fall. Other Swedish cultural institutions such as the Maritime Museum, Junibacken, and the Stockholm Culture Festival will also spotlight Pippi throughout the year.

Right in time for the 80th birthday, the 80th translation of Do You Know Pippi Longstocking? has been released in Nigerian Pidgin, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy in Abuja.

Brand New Music Video

The anniversary also comes with a soundtrack: artist Laleh has dedicated a new song called “Hurra” (“Hooray”) to Pippi, with a brand-new animated music video released today.

New Audiobooks and Swedish Candy from BonBon

Companies and publishers around the world are also joining the celebration. Swedish candy pioneers BonBon – A Swedish Candy Company in New York – are launching Pippi’s gold coins in the U.S., where new audiobooks have also been recorded by actress Sutton Foster.

Several anniversary editions of the books are being published and tribute events have been held at the Children’s Book Fair in Bologna and the Bogotá International Book Fair.