The library of foreign literature for children (branch №3 of the Pushkin library)
ul. 3 sovetskaya, 8, entrance from the yard (m. Ploshchad Vosstaniya)
+7 (812) 275-53-10, www.pushkinlib.spb.ru
Opening hours: mon-sat 11.00-18.00, sun closed

September 15 – October 14

Wilhelm Busch (1832 – 1908) was born in Wiedensahl, Germany. After getting an education in engineering, he studied art in Düsseldorf, Antwerp and Munich, and eventually took up caricature. One of his first cartoon stories “Max and Moritz” (published in 1865) became a bestseller immediately after publication and gained the status of classic work. A rare combination of brilliant artistic and poetic talents ensured William Bush’s popularity around the world. His famous drawings served as reference point for New York artists when they were creating their first comics. Along with the Swiss artist Rodolphe Töpffer, Busch can be called “grandfather” of comics.

In prerevolutionary Russia, Bush’s books were published and republished many times. In the 1920-ies, during the golden age of Soviet children’s book culture, there was no ban on publication of Bush’s work, so the best children’s poets of the new era, such as Daniil Harms and Samuil Marshak, created their versions of Bush’s stories. However, Bush’s comics were not republished in the Soviet Union from the 30-ies to the 90-ies. In 2011 the publishing house Melik-Pashayev printed 2 collections of Wilhelm Busch cartoon stories retold by the famous children’s writer Andrey Usachev.

In 1937, Wilhelm Busch Society opened a museum in Hanover, which houses a vast collection of works by the author. Also in the last 40 years the museum has amassed a large collection of comics, cartoons and illustrations by artists from various countries. Wilhelm Busch Museum Website is www.karikatur-museum.de