Stand: 11.07.2026 13:07 Uhr
Innige Briefe wechselte die Familie Oetinger mit Astrid Lindgren aus, verbrachte vergnügliche Stunden mit ihr, nachdem der Hamburger Verlag die Pippi-Geschichten als erster in Deutschland verlegte.
In the mid-1940s, a Swedish woman embarked on her journey as a children’s author, while simultaneously, a publisher was establishing a new company in Hamburg. Their paths crossed, igniting a literary phenomenon. Friedrich Oetinger fell in love with Astrid Lindgren’s enchanting tales of a spirited girl with braided hair, Pippi Longstocking. This remarkable character would soon captivate readers and become a global sensation.
Five German Publishers Declined Lindgren
His wife, Heidi Oetinger, who co-founded the publishing house, recalls in an interview: “My husband requested an option on Pippi Longstocking. Mrs. Lindgren willingly granted him that option but mentioned that five other German publishers had already declined the book, believing it wouldn’t resonate with German audiences.”
However, Oetinger’s intuition proved right. Many parents found Pippi a bit too cheeky and outspoken, yet children adored her for precisely those reasons.
Silke Weitendorf: The First Pippi-Reader
Silke Weitendorf, the stepdaughter of the founder and later managing director of Oetinger Verlag, claims proudly, “I was the very first Pippi Longstocking reader in Germany. I got to read the text before it was printed. I was a passionate Pippi reader.” Her enthusiasm led her to write a letter to the author:
Dear Mrs. Lindgren,
I love the Pippi book so much that I have read it several times. My friend loves it too. Now my mom brought me the second volume of Pippi, which I like even better.
Warmly, Your Silke
Letter from the eight-year-old Silke Weitendorf to Astrid Lindgren
As time passed, more beloved Lindgren characters found their place in the Oetinger family of stories, transforming a mere business relationship into a profound friendship. Lindgren shared a love for nature with Friedrich and connected with Heidi over poetry and folk songs.
Deep Friendship Between Heidi Oetinger and Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren and Heidi Oetinger shared a love for poetry and folk songs.
“Many letters were exchanged, lengthy ones,” recalls Weitendorf. They shared personal joys and sorrows. “They often sang together over the phone, which is hard to imagine. Whenever Astrid was at our home, she would sing or hum.” When Astrid Lindgren visited Hamburg, she stayed with the Oetinger family, and this bond extended to everyone.
The Impact of Lindgren on Oetinger Verlag
The Oetinger family continued to unearth literary treasures over the decades, including works from Cornelia Funke and Paul Maar. Nevertheless, it was Pippi who opened a world of opportunities. “Without Astrid Lindgren’s books, it would have been unimaginable for the publishing house to survive. We mentioned in our obituary that we owe her everything, and that remains true,” shares Silke Weitendorf.
In conclusion, gratitude persists, both from the Oetinger family and from millions of readers for Astrid Lindgren’s timeless stories and countless fairy tales that the Oetinger Verlag has published over the past 80 years.
