A frozen fairy tale and the creator of a cult character (8 photos)

The Austrian writer, journalist, and critic Felix Salten is known to the general public as the creator of Bambi, a touching character who became the king of the forest.





After publication in 1923, the book was almost immediately translated into 30 languages, and 20 years later a wonderful animated film was released, created by Walt Disney himself.



Felix Salten

There are more than 1,200 fountains throughout Zurich, providing residents with clean drinking water. Each of them is a unique design of its kind. And some are monuments in honor of famous and famous citizens. This one is especially loved by locals and tourists, because it is dedicated to Bambi, a cute deer made famous by the Walt Disney film. And, of course, to the author himself.



A well-known journalist and writer, Salten wrote many works, opera librettos and theater plays. In addition to works that were very critical of the society of that time, his work included many novels about nature with a strong educational component. His characters were not only fawns, but also squirrels, hares and other forest inhabitants.

But in the 1930s, the writer’s life took a sharp turn. Because he was Jewish (real name Sigmund Salzmann) and his books were banned in Germany after 1936 (his main market), he lost an important source of income. In 1933, Salten sold the film rights to Bambi to Walt Disney for just $1,000.



After the forced annexation of Austria by Germany, Salten's daughter helped him leave for Switzerland. However, local authorities banned him from engaging in journalism. That is, he actually could no longer do his job, which brought him income and joy.



Salten moved to Zurich, where he spent his last years in difficult financial straits. In fact, the only source of income remained funds received from book sales from abroad. Salten died in 1945 and is buried in the city's oldest active Jewish cemetery. The fountain in honor of the author and his character was designed and executed by the Swiss architect Arnold Hugle. In 1950, a plaque was added describing the structure's connection to Bambi and Salten.