“Right now it’s just tears”
Updated 14.24 | Published 14.23
Staffan Westerberg is dead.
The presenter Anders Lundin remembers the iconic director, screenwriter and actor with warmth.
– He was a fantastic storyteller who created fascinating children’s programs.
The director, screenwriter and actor Staffan Westerberg is deadsomething the family confirms for Kulturnytt.
He is best known for creating groundbreaking children’s programs in the 1970s such as “Lost in the Pancake” and “Lillstrumpa och Syster Yster”.
The actor and the musician Per Dunsö has together with the pair horse Ola Ström among other things created “Solstollarna”. They also made the album “Utebänkens sagar” together with Staffan Westerberg
Dunsö has only good things to say about Westerberg.
– Me and Ola Ström had the pleasure of making music and participating in two of his TV series: “Utebänkens sagar” and “Den flygande näsduken”. Getting to step into Staffan’s fragile but at the same time crazy universe was dizzying and enriching. We learned a lot, Ola and I, ideas and tools that we carried with us in our continued creation. Yes, now Staffan has flown “out to heaven”, as he wrote in the song “The butterfly and the ant” from “Utebänkens sagar”.
“Was extremely funny”
Aftonbladet has also been in contact with Ola Ström.
– We were in two of Staffan’s TV series, “Utebänkens sagar” and “The Flying Handkerchief”. The outdoor bench also became an LP record. Staffan meant a lot to us and our view of television, above all he taught us that television is television and not radio, to always make sure that something happens in the picture, he says and continues:
– Staffan was extremely funny, not least during the rehearsals, but the ladies on TV didn’t want to know about any fun, they wanted “their” Staffan whom they loved. So did I with all the strange and unique sides of him. He was a wonderful person with a big heart who I will miss greatly. So sad to never laugh together again, right now it’s just tears.
“Has become a myth”
The host Anders Lundin who himself worked with children’s programs and grew up with Staffan Westerberg, remembers him as a great role model.
– He was a fantastic storyteller who created fascinating children’s programs. I worked in the children’s editorial department at SVT and then I brought up the fact that he must have ruined everyone’s childhood, but we googled and came to the conclusion that I was 14 years old when the first episode was broadcast on television, so that has become a myth. I think it was unfair to him because he made fascinating programs that made the children sit wide-eyed and watch what he did. It’s not at all stupid if it gets edgy or downright creepy. He made great children’s programs and also equally great adult shows. He was a great storyteller.
Many brave choices
Also Robert Fuxactor at Stadsteatern and drag performer who has had continuous contact with Staffan Westerberg since the Theater Academy, remembers his friend with warmth.
– I was so incredibly inspired by the fact that he had made so many brave choices in his life, that he followed his heart. For me, Staffan is some kind of guide who told me that you can follow your inner compass and dare to stand up for your choices. It left a big impression on me and he also carries a queer story about alienation and dealing with it with art in focus, he says.
Robert Fux says that they kept in touch over the years.
– We were heard from time to time. He saw something that I did and I would say that everything he has written has inspired me, I have looked up to Staffan and I have been happy for the contact we have had.
– He called me last week and I was very happy and surprised because we hadn’t heard from each other for a long time. We talked about life, how he is now and I had absolutely hoped to be able to visit him, but it didn’t happen.
Has been re-evaluated
In an interview with Aftonbladet from 2020, Staffan Westerberg commented on the fact that he would have “destroyed the childhood of an entire generation”.
– It was sad when it was that kind of persecution, but I have survived. It was hard at the time, but I stood my ground and I consider myself to have emerged victorious from the game.
In a survey among students in Stockholm, Staffan Westerberg was even considered worse than Hitler.
– Yes, that’s right. I had a wonderful person in my company Kristina Calm downshe was there too, he said then.
However, time took its toll and in retrospect he has been reevaluated in many camps and he received a lot of love.
– It is above all now afterwards that they do it and it still happens. They think I’m quite handsome and I’m happy about that.
In the same interview, he shares his thoughts on the legacy he has left behind.
– It is above all “Lost in the pancake”. I did programs just because I thought it was fun. I wanted to say something to them, but what I wanted to say – damn it.
Staffan Westerberg was 92 years old.
