Junibacken

"Junibacken is a beloved children’s attraction located on the island of Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded by Staffan Götestam, Fredrik Uhrström, and Peder Wallenberg, it officially opened its doors on June 8, 1996, in a ceremony attended by the Swedish royal family. Today, it ranks as Stockholm’s fifth most-visited tourist attraction and is dedicated primarily to celebrating Swedish children’s literature, particularly the works of Astrid Lindgren. The entrance to Junibacken features a striking bronze statue of Lindgren, and the interior design is brought to life by Swedish artist Marit Törnqvist, who has illustrated modern editions of Lindgren's books. The attraction boasts the largest children’s bookstore in Sweden, and its entrance hall is adorned with lockers resembling giant book spines, featuring classic literary titles like *Treasure Island* and *The Jungle Book*. One of the main highlights of Junibacken is the Storybook Square, a mock public square where each house represents a different Swedish children's author, ranging from early writers like Elsa Beskow to contemporary ones like Sven Nordqvist. The square culminates at a recreated Vimmerby railway station, which showcases framed memorabilia related to Lindgren, including a glowing letter of praise from former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. Visitors can embark on a whimsical theme train ride through the enchanting world of Astrid Lindgren’s stories. Each segment of the ride features a different "stage setting" based on her well-known works, such as *Madicken*, *Karlsson-on-the-Roof*, *Ronia the Robber's Daughter*, *Emil i Lönneberga*, and *The Brothers Lionheart*. The journey concludes at a detailed reconstruction of Villa Villekulla, the home of Lindgren's iconic character, Pippi Longstocking. In addition to its attractions, Junibacken includes a theatre, a restaurant, and a temporary exhibition space, which typically features exhibits devoted to a single author or character for about 11 months. Past popular exhibitions have included *Pettson and Findus* and *Trazan och Banarne*. Although Junibacken does not fit the formal definition of a museum as outlined by ICOM, due to its lack of collections, it is a member of both Swedish ICOM and the Riksförbundet Sveriges museer, highlighting its cultural significance in Sweden."

"Delight in the enchanting world of children's literature at Junibacken. This whimsical museum, inspired by the stories of Astrid Lindgren, invites visitors of all ages to embark on magical train rides through Pippi Longstocking's Villa Villekulla and other beloved literary landscapes."