Alf Prøysen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alf Prøysen
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Alf Prøysen with his typewriter in 1964
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| Born | 23 July 1914 Ringsaker in Hedmark, Norway
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| Died | 23 November 1970 (aged 56) |
| Resting place | Cemetery of Our Saviour, Oslo |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Occupation | author, poet and musician |
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Notable work
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Dørstokken heme (1945) |
| Spouse(s) | Else Storhaug (1948–2015) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Arts Council Norway Honorary Award |
Alf Prøysen (born July 23, 1914 – died November 23, 1970) was a famous Norwegian author, poet, playwright, songwriter, and musician. He was one of Norway's most important cultural figures in the mid-1900s.
Prøysen created stories and songs for many different platforms. He wrote for books, newspapers, and even made records. He also played a big part in music, television, and radio. From 1954 until he passed away, he wrote for the newspaper Arbeiderbladet.
He is especially well-known for his children's book series about Mrs. Pepperpot. In Norwegian, her name is Teskjekjerringa. This character made him a beloved children's author. The first book in the series came out in 1956. It was first published in English in 1959.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Alf Prøysen was born Alf Olafsen in Rudshøgda, Ringsaker, Hedmark county, Norway. His parents were Olaf Andreassen and Julie Mathiasdatter. He grew up as the youngest of four children. His family lived on a farm in the countryside.
Alf Prøysen's Career
Prøysen started his career as an apprentice at the Norwegian School of Applied Sciences. There, he worked as a copywriter and actor from 1942 to 1945. He began working with NRK, Norway's national broadcasting company. His first recording was in 1947. Soon, Prøysen became a national star.
He became very popular in the 1950s and 1960s. This was thanks to his many songs, like Husmannspolka, Tango for to, Lillebrors vise, and Musevisa. Prøysen contributed to many artistic areas. These included children's radio, short stories, theater, and music. Most of his stories and songs were set in places similar to his own rural hometown.
In 1945, he released his first book, Dørstokken heme. It was a collection of short stories. His only novel, Trost i taklampa (1950), was a big hit. It was popular both as a book and as a play. Prøysen was often on radio and television shows during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1970, he received the Norwegian Cultural Council Honorary Prize. This award recognized his important contributions to Norwegian culture.
A large part of Prøysen's writing was short stories. Many of his works were made especially for children. The first stories about Teskjekjerringa appeared in the magazine Kooperatøren. In 1956, the first book in the Teskedsgumman series was published. Swedish television made a popular series about her starting in 1967. In the 1980s, a Japanese cartoon series with 130 episodes was also created. The Teskjekjerringa books became an international success.
Selected Works by Alf Prøysen
- Dørstokken heme, Hedmarksfortellinger (1945)
- Trost i taklampa (1950)
- Utpå livets vei (1952)
- Matja Madonna (1955)
- Kjærlighet på rundpinne (1958)
- Muntre minner fra Hedemarken (1959)
- Det var da det og itte nå (1971)
Mrs. Pepperpot (Teskjekjerringa) Series
- 1960 – Teskjekjerringa på nye eventyr (Mrs. Pepperpot on New Adventures)
- 1965 – Teskjekjerringa i eventyrskauen (Mrs. Pepperpot in the Fairy Tale Forest)
- 1967 – Teskjekjerringa på camping (Mrs. Pepperpot Camping)
- 1970 – Teskjekjerringa på julehandel (Mrs. Pepperpot Christmas Shopping)
- 1989 – Teskjekjerringa på blåbærtur (Mrs. Pepperpot on a Blueberry Trip)
- 1990 – Teskjekjerringa og elgen (Mrs. Pepperpot and the Moose)
- 1991 – Teskjekjerringa og den skjulte skatten (Mrs. Pepperpot and the Hidden Treasure)
- 1992 – Teskjekjerringa på basar (Mrs. Pepperpot at the Bazaar)
Personal Life
Alf Prøysen married Else Storhaug in 1948. They had two children: a daughter named Elin Julie (born 1949) and a son named Alf Ketil (born 1951). Alf Prøysen passed away from cancer when he was 56 years old. He was buried at Vår Frelsers gravlund (Our Saviour's Cemetery) in Oslo.
Several books have been written about Alf Prøysen's life. These include a book by his daughter, Elin Prøysen. Other authors like Helge Hagen and Dag Solberg have also written about him.
Prøysenhuset: A Cultural Center
Prøysenhuset is a special cultural center and museum. It is located in Rudshøgda, Ringsaker, where Alf Prøysen grew up. The center has an auditorium, a gift shop, a café, and a playground.
The main part of the museum is a permanent exhibit. It tells the story of Alf Prøysen's life and his amazing career. The famous architectural firm Snøhetta designed the building. Prøysenhuset was opened in July 2014. This was a gift to the Ringsaker municipality to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Prøysen's birth.
A businessman and investor named Arthur Buchardt helped pay for the center. Local companies also joined together to fund it. Today, Prøysenhuset is managed by the Cultural Office of the Ringsaker municipality.
