Childhood hero: Ronja Räubertochter

Suddenly lightning hits the castle and splits it in two! A huge thunderstorm and Lovis gives birth to a child – Ronja. She’s the daughter of the leader of a band of robbers. Ronja Rövardotter – Ronja Räubertochter – Ronia Robber’s Daughter - Røverdatter Ræningjadóttir or however the story written by Astrid Lindgren may be titled in your language is one of my favourite books and movies of all times.

 

 

 

It was today that I turned on the TV while trying to get my school papers all sorted and by zapping through the channels, I instantly had to think of my childhood – Ronja Räubertochter was on TV. Ronja was one of the heroes of my childhood. I wanted to be like her! She did whatever she wanted and thought was right, even if it was very hard for her from time to time.

Ronja Räubertochter, her parents and the robber clan live in a forest in which not only another robbers clan is living (as well as a boy named Birk, who’s Ronja’s best friend) but also mythological creatures, such as the rumphobs, gray dwarfs and the cruel but beautiful wild harpies.

While watching that movie, I had to think back of many moments in my life in which I may have been influenced by Ronja in my reactions and decisions. One of these situations may have been my decisions to stay in Canada, far from my family – just like Ronja had decided to live in the forest with Birk rather than in the castle with her family. The result of her decisions were very often comparable of what I have experienced, such as homesickness, worrying about her family and fear of what the future may bring. I always admired her for being self-confident, fair, nature loving, curious but also the afraid little girl that was very careful with the decisions she made.

I think even up to this day Ronja is one of my heroes and I’m sure that somewhere inside of me is a little Ronja that comes out every once in a while.