Carina, aged 6

by Bengt Häger

Carina’s life went through many changes. Born in a poor family, she eventually achieved fame, wealth and love.

Carina started her remarkable career at the Royal Opera in Stockholm. Her mother had entered her at the ballet school, which offered poor girls a chance to obtain free education. They also had the opportunity to earn an income even though they were children, since they often danced in the chorus at the evening opera performances..

   All contributions were welcome in Carina’s family. Her mother’s health was poor, the identity of her father was never ascertained. Extreme poverty sometimes helps to sharpen the intellect. Carina bought flowers, arranged them tastefully, and sold her bouquets in Stockholm’s Old Town to shopkeepers and craftsmen who used them to decorate their shop windows. She came up with this idea when she was 10 or 11. No one had thought of it before..

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