MATS JONSSON has a new book for young readers: STINAS JOJK!
Stina's Joik is the fascinating story of Stina Larsdotter, the Sámi girl who never stopped growing.
When she lived in the mid-19th century, it was not uncommon for people with odd appearances to be shown off for a fee, and Stina was persuaded. The poor reindeer herder's daughter from Malå became an attraction in both atmospheric beer cellars and fine salons.
Eventually, she became known throughout Europe, and over time, increasingly independent. Stina, who started out as a victim of her times, became a driven businesswoman who, in her short life, was able to both help her parents financially and buy her own homestead.
Stina was measured and examined during her lifetime, including by the racial biologist Anders Retzius, and after her death in 1854 she was exhibited at the Karolinska Institute. This year, in 2024, Stina's remains will be buried in Malå.
Mats Jonsson (b. 1973) grew up in Bollstabruk and after many years in Stockholm he now lives and works in Sandslån in Ådalen. Since the age of 15, he has depicted his life in cartoons and has published seven autobiographical graphic novels and four illustrated children's books. Mats has been a member of Babel's author panel and in 2021 he gave a summer talk in connection with the release of "När vi var samer".
ENG:
In the fall of 2024, MATS JONSSON will publish a new book for young readers: STINAS JOJK!
Stina's jojk is the fascinating story of Stina Larsdotter, the Sami girl who never stopped growing. When she lived in the mid-1800s, it was not uncommon for odd-looking people to be shown for payment, and Stina allowed herself to be persuaded. The poor reindeer herder's daughter from Malå became an attraction in both crowded beer cellars and fine salons.
Eventually she became known throughout Europe, and with time increasingly independent. Stina, who started out as a victim of her times, became a driven business woman who, during her short life, was able to both help her parents financially and buy a home of her own.
Stina was measured and examined during her lifetime, including by the race biologist Anders Retzius, and after her death in 1854 she was exhibited at the Karolinska Institutet. This year, 2024, Stina's remains will be buried in Malå.
Mats Jonsson (b. 1973) grew up in Bollstabruk and after many years in Stockholm he now lives and works in Sandslån in Ådalen. Since the age of 15, he has depicted his life in cartoons and has published seven autobiographical comic novels and four illustrated children's books. Mats has sat on Babel's author panel and in summer 2021 he spoke in connection with the release of "When we were Sami people".
