celebrating books and characters

[J.W.]

Ottawa (Canada), Monday 29/11/10 10h30 EDT

I'm not sure about Slavic examples, but I can give you a couple with a
Canadian connection:

1) The stories of "Anne of Green Gables" by Prince Edward Island native Lucy
Maud Montgomery are legendary throughout the world, but nowhere more
prominently than in Japan, where the stories and characters (not so much the
author!) have had a cult following for many years, and since 1952 have been
required reading in Japanese schools.  The Ikutamateramachi area of Japan
even boasts an Anne of Green Gables Hotel.  Japanese tourists on the Island
often treat Montgomery's Anne as though she were an historical person rather
than a fictional character.  For a videoclip on this phenomenon see:
http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainment/literature/clips/11213/

2) The town of White River in northern Ontario features a monument to
Winnie-the-Pooh, as does the London Zoo in the UK.  Both places have a
special connection to A.A. Milne's favourite fictional character.  You can
find the whole story on White River's website at:
http://www.whiteriver.ca/article/winnie-the-pooh-6.asp
Incidentally, the town of White River's motto is directly connected to the
character: "Where it all began--Winnie-the-Pooh".

John Woodsworth
Website: http://kanadacha.ca

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