December 24 1992 – 29 Kislev 5753
Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, better known as Peyo but most famous for his comic strip,The Smurfs, died. Born in 1928, Peyo created numerous cartoon characters, mostly for comic strips published in Belgian daily newspapers. The Smurfs were originally secondary characters in a strip named Johan and Peewit, but their popularity soon overshadowed the other figures and Peyo soon gave them their own comics and later cartoons, until by the 1970s he was only working on the Smurfs.
Over the years, whole mythologies and a number of conspiracy theories have been developed around the Smurfs, according to one of which their purpose is to spread Communist ideology. Another claims that Gargamel, the Smurfs arch-enemy, represents a wicked, money-grabbing Jew, whose attempts to destroy the Smurfs and turn them into gold reflect Jewish plans of world domination. Nevertheless, the Smurf comic strips and cartoons’ endearing character have ensured their enduring popularity.
Erling MandelmannPeyo with Smurf cuddly toys