Happy birthday Miffy!
- Monika
- Nov 2, 2015
- 3 min read
Nijntje, the famous bunny turned 60 in 2015. Have you ever heard of Nijntje (outside the Netherlands she called Miffy), the cute little white bunny? Or are you a big fan of her already?
Either way, if you are into lovely heartwarming stories you might as well listen to Hers. I am a big fan, not only because I live in Holland, but because I "got contaminated" by her at an early age. My aunt and uncle (who already lived fromthe 70's in The Netherlands, funny enough in the area of Utrecht, where Nijntje is from) sent me a small kitchen set, 2 plastic plates and some cups, when I was a little girl, and I loved it to bits. Eventhough I had know idea who the little bunny was, I just became a big fan instantly.
Nijntje was born in Utrecht in June 1955. I remember very well, because my Mom is born in the same month and year. If you would like to meet Miffy "in person", you can travel to Utrecht and visit the Nijntje museum. (I have not been yet, but it is definetely on my list). Miffy's creator is a very humble, nice dutchman with a big mustache and an enchanting honest smile, called Dick Bruna. He is a (now retired) graphic designer, author and illustrator and the proud "father" of the little cute bunny. He came up with the carachter of Nijntje when he saw a white rabbit hopping around while on a family vacation back in the days. He decided to let it be a girl, because he had wanted to "give" her a dress, instead of pants. Her name became Nijntje from the diminutive form of rabbit in Dutch, "konijntje".
I have recently seen a documentary of the author, I must say, his peek into his every day life and his modesty just melted my heart. Eventhough he could have built a whole empire all around the world based on the popularity of Miffy, and be a millionaire, purchasing the most expensive cars and houses...we was just not interested in that glamorous lifestyle at all. Till 2014 - when he turned 87 and announced his retirement (and that the rights of Miffy will not be sold) - , he worked 6 days a week, and went to work by bike in the freezing cold or pouring rain every single day.
From Monday until Saturday, from early in the morning until late at night he just set down and drew rabbits and later other animals to keep Nijntje company. He even changed the lining of Miffy once because he thought she needed some well-deserved modernization. And he was right! His drawings, small books became more and more popular even in Asia, that he got (and still does) millions and millions of greeting cards from all over the world! And still, he stayed the same nice man who he has been all the way. He authored and illustrated over 200 children's books and made many many kids smile. That was it all about for him.
Because of the anniversary of her 60th birthday, there were big celebrations around Holland regarding to Nijntje. For example, there were famous designers asked to turn a "blank" Miffy scuplture into their own personal Miffy, and they even made a big open-air excursion of it on the Museum square in the heart of Amsterdam. I visited this one-of-a lifetime event with the little boy I was babysitting at that time - mostly because he really really wanted to go, haha - and he could not stop cuddling the sculptures one by one. I wish I was 2 years old to have the "right" for it to do so as well. I even got a Miffy DIY set from my husband to design my own personal Nijntje, I have already the idea in my head how I want her to look. I'll keep you posted when I am finished with my costumized Miffy. (update: see MY Miffy in the photos :) ) Even better: I suppert Unicef, and its educational goal by buying this box. Makes it even more enjoyable. Happy birthday Nijntje, and thank you Mr. Bruna!
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