Memory isn't black and white: Girl on a Spacehopper

In 1971 Finnish photographer Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen snapped a joyous image of a little girl playing in the street. It became world famous. But who is she?

'The portrait you'd love to have of yourself as a child' – but who is she?

In 1971, Finnish photographer Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen snapped a joyous image of a little girl playing in the streets of a Newcastle suburb scheduled for demolition, called Byker. The photo became world famous. Byker disappeared forever. Forty years later, Sirkka got a phonecall. Who is the girl on the spacehopper?

A version of this interview was first broadcast in August 2023.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Laura Thomas

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

Show less

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 6 Nov 202303:32GMT

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

More episodes

The ballet secret that got father and son grooving again

Fighting for my brother, Egypt’s most famous political prisoner, part 1

See all episodes from Outlook

Sat 4 Nov 202305:32GMT
BBC World Service West and Central Africa
Sat 4 Nov 202311:32GMT
BBC World Service West and Central Africa
Sat 4 Nov 202319:32GMT
BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East & BBC Afghan Radio
Sun 5 Nov 202300:32GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
Sun 5 Nov 202309:32GMT
BBC World Service except Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
Sun 5 Nov 202322:32GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa & BBC Afghan Radio
Mon 6 Nov 202303:32GMT
BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East