4 February 2025

Ilon Wikland Celebrates 95 Years

On February 5, 2025, the artist Ilon Wikland turns 95. The birthday is celebrated with, among other things, a large exhibition at Waldemarsudde and a new edition of the autobiographical book The Long, Long Journey.

It is over 70 years ago that the artist Ilon Wikland, then 24, walked into Astrid Lindgren’s office at Rabén & Sjögren to inquire about job opportunities. The rest is, as they say, history. Astrid Lindgren became so fond of the pictures for Mio min Mio that their collaboration lasted for more than half a century. However, Wikland’s journey to becoming one of Sweden’s most iconic children’s book illustrators began long before that moment—on a stormy Baltic Sea.

Ilon Wikland was just 14 years old when she arrived in Sweden as an unaccompanied refugee from war-torn Estonia. With the help of the colored crayons she was gifted, she rediscovered joy in her life. Since then, she has dedicated herself to painting, depicting both her own experiences and those of others.

An Exhibition at Waldermarsudde opens in February

Last year, over 400 of Wikland’s works were shown in a large exhibition at The Gothenburg Museum of Art. Ilon Wikland’s visual worlds. Fairytales, adventures, and everyday life received rave reviews and attracted a large audience – not since 2012 has the museum had more visitors. Now it’s time for the next big exhibition, this time in Stockholm. “From Moomin to Chop Chop” runs from February 15 to August 17 at Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde.

In this grand investment in picture book art, four of the Nordic countries’ most prominent children’s book illustrators and authors are highlighted: Tove Jansson, Ilon Wikland, Linda Bondestam, and Pija Lindenbaum. By showcasing sketches, notes and the finished result, the visitor gets a unique insight into the creative process behind iconic figures such as Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter and Karlsson on the Roof.

A new edition of The Long, Long Journey

Ilon Wikland has illustrated over a hundred books and, in recent years, has also depicted his own upbringing, including in The Long, Long Journey, which has been republished by Lilla Piratförlaget just in time for the 95th anniversary. Translated versions are also published in the Nordic countries, as well as in Estonia and Germany.

In Aftonbladet, Ingalill Mosander writes: “Rarely has a new edition of a much-loved book felt so important. Ilon Wikland fled in a small, rickety boat across the Baltic Sea from her native Estonia, which had been invaded by Soviet soldiers. That was 80 years ago, but the same thing is happening in Europe right now. A deeply moving portrayal of a child’s vulnerability. It is impossible to defend yourself.”

The Estonian House

The anniversary year is also celebrated with a smaller exhibition at the Estonian House in Stockholm, which shows a timeline of Ilon’s very first works from his teenage years onwards. At Ilon’s fairytale land in the Estonian town of Hapsal, the artist’s childhood town, the 95th birthday is being celebrated, among other things, through an exhibition of private and rarely shown pictures from the family’s own collection.

Ilon 95 Anniversary Logo

For licensees and partners of Ilon Wikland, a special Ilon 95 anniversary logo will be available during the jubilee. Get in touch with Rights & Brands to learn more.

Keep up on upcoming the anniversary events on ilonwikland.com