C’era una volta… Once upon a time there was a barrel. And the barrel was full of books and the books were full of words in three strange languages. The books were bound for Baltics, but never made it. The barrel was arrested in a tavern called “The Golden Horn” in the city of Lübeck and the books are lost ever since.
This is the beginning of the story of the Estonian Book. A fairy tale, to be exact. Because what are the odds that a small nation, at this time comprising less than 300 000 people, of whom only few could read and write, could forge their own written language?
The statistical probability is close to zero. Yet here we are 500 years later. Celebrating five centuries of written Estonian language and proudly wearing the Guest of Honour badge here at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
It is the imaginary worlds and books that we read as children that shape who we become. No matter when and where we are born, in a way we share a collective childhood – we all grew up with friends from fairy tales, like Cipollino and Pinocchio, but also Tove Janssons’ Moomin family and Astrid Lindgren’s Bullerby children, Brothers Lionhearts and Karlsson-on-the-Roof – to only name a few.
Oftentimes it is the illustrations that imprint these stories onto our minds. Estonian-born artist and illustrator Ilon Wikland, who gave Astrid Lindgren’s characters their unforgettable appearance, celebrated her 95th birthday this February.
Her pictures never fail to evoke the wonderful feeling of childhood, even if her’s involved fleeing from the Soviet occupation with only a suitcase in her hand. Again, an improbable fate, almost like a fairy tale, that led her to Sweden, where she met Astrid Lindgren.
Ilon Wikland continued to draw until old age and before starting to work she had a special habit – she used to listen to Italian clarinet music to lift her spirits.
I do not know if our authors and illustrators, quite a few of whom will be here in Bologna, also listen to Italian music, but I do know their witty plots, warm humour and taste for the improbable.
To all the writers and illustrators, translators and publishers, but most of all to all the readers – I wish you many new and inspiring encounters here in Bologna!
