Most people know the story of Rapunzel, the beautiful princess locked n a tower and rescued by a prince who climbed up her long hair to reach and save her. Like many of the fairy tales we grew up with it was recorded by the brothers Grimm, and first published in 1812. As with many old stories, it has elements from other tales and other cultures, and Rapunzel is very similar to the Persian story of Rudāba, which dates from the 10th century. other story tellers included their interpretation of the Grimm brothers tale in their collection, such as Andrew Lang who wrote collections of fairy stories with different volumes called different colours; I remember reading and being read stories from Lang’s books.
Rapunzel and her amazing hair feature in the sand sculpture exhibition on the beach in Weston-super-mare; the sculptor not only decorated the front of the tower with Rapunzel’s locks, but the long hair continues onto the back of the sculpture, complete with a bow!.
Lois Elsden 