What's going on on the head? : Last chance

Pippi Longstocking's red plaits, Momo's wild head of curls and Rapunzel's long plait: there are numerous characters in children's literature with eye-catching hair.

Hair and hairstyles are often a central feature of children's literary characters - and in many cases hair is more than just hair: it symbolises character traits, creates identity or shows emotions such as fear or anger. Long hair is associated with beauty and femininity, while unkempt tresses are associated with freedom, wildness and disobedience; a severe side parting, on the other hand, appears stuffy and well-behaved. Hair colours are also often associated with certain characteristics: The blue hair of the Swedish troll Plupp or the bright green locks of the forest-dwelling Wawuschels are a sign of their closeness to nature, while redheads like Sams or Pumuckl are seen as cheeky and nosey. However, these traditional and established hairy attributions are also deliberately undermined time and again and literally brushed against the grain.

The exhibition features wild tresses and strict braids from old and new picture books and children's books from all over the world. Pop-cultural detours are also undertaken, after all Marge Simpson has the most famous blue hair tower of the present day.

In addition to the question of the different hairy meanings, the exhibition offers many opportunities for discovery and participation: For example, how about finding out how long Rapunzel's plait really is?

Last edited on 09.10.2025