Reading for Youth

Children’s Culture for and about the Working People?

Authors

• Niklas Bengtsson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37456/tvt.119809

Keywords:

Eero Salmelainen, Erik Rudbeck, Lukemista Nuorisolle, lastenlehdet, lehdistö, kansanvalistus

Abstract

The article deals with the attention for the common people and the poor in the Lukemista Nuorisolle, the first independent children’s magazine in Finnish, and in the public debate that preceded it. The magazine was edited by the storyteller Eero Salmelainen (originally Erik Rudbeck). According to the magazine and the public debate about it, the magazine was not just aimed at children. Illiterate people were also seen as a target group. The magazine was considered important in terms of civilizing the people, including the working class.