Globi
Encyclopedia
Globi is a Swiss
cartoon character often referred to as Switzerland's Mickey Mouse
. He is pictured as an anthropomorphic blue parrot with a yellow beak wearing a black beret
and a pair of red and black checked trousers. He was created by the Swiss cartoonist Robert Lips, as an advertising character for the Swiss department store Globus
in 1932 for the company's 25th anniversary. He was originally planned to be called “Kimbukku”, but later renamed Globi after the local Basel German
(Baseldytsch) dialect word for the department store that created him.
He initially appeared in a cartoon strip called “Der Globi”, and later appeared in a cartoon picture-book form called “Globi's World Voyage” in 1935. By 1944, the character got so big that Globus created a separate company to deal with, and in 1948 Globi had sold over one million picture books. He was tried in other markets such as the Netherlands
, Belgium
and Brazil
, but did not do as well. In the 1970s, he was accused of being sexist, racist, and promoting violence, which was based on the attitudes of the forties
and fifties
, but these accusations did not hold.
Today, he is one of the most popular characters in Switzerland, with sales of over 9 million books, and in October 2003, Globi was given a full-length film, “Globi and the Stolen Shadows”. It was directed by Robi Engler in atypical Anime
-style. Beside the books, there is also lots of Globi merchandise, including cuddly toys, crockery, cutlery, clocks, school equipment, card games, food. From December 2008, the Swiss town of Engelberg
hosts a Globi theme park.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
cartoon character often referred to as Switzerland's Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
. He is pictured as an anthropomorphic blue parrot with a yellow beak wearing a black beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
and a pair of red and black checked trousers. He was created by the Swiss cartoonist Robert Lips, as an advertising character for the Swiss department store Globus
Globus (company)
Globus is a Swiss department store company, with 13 department stores in Switzerland. The group, which also includes the Herren Globus chain of menswear stores and the Office World chain of office supplies stores, it is owned by Switzerland's largest retailer, Migros.Globus was founded in 1907 in...
in 1932 for the company's 25th anniversary. He was originally planned to be called “Kimbukku”, but later renamed Globi after the local Basel German
Swiss German
Swiss German is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland and in some Alpine communities in Northern Italy. Occasionally, the Alemannic dialects spoken in other countries are grouped together with Swiss German as well, especially the dialects of Liechtenstein and Austrian Vorarlberg...
(Baseldytsch) dialect word for the department store that created him.
He initially appeared in a cartoon strip called “Der Globi”, and later appeared in a cartoon picture-book form called “Globi's World Voyage” in 1935. By 1944, the character got so big that Globus created a separate company to deal with, and in 1948 Globi had sold over one million picture books. He was tried in other markets such as the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, but did not do as well. In the 1970s, he was accused of being sexist, racist, and promoting violence, which was based on the attitudes of the forties
1940s
File:1940s decade montage.png|Above title bar: events which happened during World War II : From left to right: Troops in an LCVP landing craft approaching "Omaha" Beach on "D-Day"; Adolf Hitler visits Paris, soon after the Battle of France; The Holocaust occurred during the war as Nazi Germany...
and fifties
1950s
The 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
, but these accusations did not hold.
Today, he is one of the most popular characters in Switzerland, with sales of over 9 million books, and in October 2003, Globi was given a full-length film, “Globi and the Stolen Shadows”. It was directed by Robi Engler in atypical Anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
-style. Beside the books, there is also lots of Globi merchandise, including cuddly toys, crockery, cutlery, clocks, school equipment, card games, food. From December 2008, the Swiss town of Engelberg
Engelberg
Engelberg is a village in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. Engelberg has a population of . , 21.0% of the population was made up of foreign nationals.It is the leading mountain resort in central Switzerland...
hosts a Globi theme park.