Learning about Swedish culture from Sven Nordqvist’s books (case-study: Pettson and Findus book series)

Abstract

In a globalized world knowledge of values and peculiarities of other cultures becomes an indispensable condition for successful cross-cultural communication, promotes a deeper awareness of one’s own culture, develops tolerance and facilitates political, economic, cultural and other contacts between countries. One of the sources of acquiring background knowledge is literary text, in which authors recreate objective reality of their countries. Well-translated and nicely illustrated children literature allows readers to get acquainted with peculiarities of other cultures from a very early age. The aim of the article is to study the reflection of Swedish culture in Sven Nordqvist’s books written and illustrated for children. Nordqvist’s books, namely the book series about Pettson and Findus, have become popular all over the world. The main character named Pettson is an old Swedish farmer who lives on his own in a traditional red country house surrounded by a garden until the day when a restless kitten, whom Pettson without a moment’s hesitation calls Findus, appears in his ordered life. From that day on his main task is to ingeniously solve the problems which Findus gets into. Books about Pettson and Finds are translated into many languages, made into cartoons and educational programmes. Illustrations made by Sven Nordqvist make the books special as they supplement the textual information about Sweden, its geographical setting, benefits of living a rustic life, traditions, holidays, cuisine, inventions, etc. Sven Nordqvist manages to capture the spirit of living in Sweden all year round. He gives his readers the opportunity to get peculiar knowledge of Swedish culture, necessary for effective interaction with the representatives of a different cultural background.