HARRY MARKS 20 YEARS
Potter fans celebrate anniversary of debut of the young wizard
Twenty years ago Monday, a young wizard was unleashed into the world, and, in turn, one of the most beloved fandoms of all time was born.
But Harry Potter, a fictional wizard crafted in the imagination of J.K. Rowling, doesn’t hold a magic wand to his muggle fans who — two decades after the release of the first book in the fantasy series — still show up to celebrate the Boy Who Lived.
On Monday morning, Ms. Rowling tweeted to her 10.9 million followers, “20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It’s been wonderful. Thank you.” And many of Ms. Rowling’s fans are thanking her right back.
Sue Senko of Mount Pleasant watched Monday as her 3-year-old great-niece, Charlotte Pacella, scrambled across the grass at Frick Park during a makeshift Quidditch match. Colorful pool noodles replaced broomsticks used as transportation in the books’ mythical sport as part of a Harry Potterthemed anniversary party organized by the Mount Pleasant Public Library.
Charlotte, of Greensburg, was one of the youngest participants among more than a dozen Harry Potter fans trying to chuck balls through goal posts made of hula hoops taped to bamboo poles.
“What J.K. Rowling has done is phenomenal,” Mrs. Senko said of the series’ success across all age groups. “To me, they’re books for all ages.”
Her history with Harry Potter revolves around her sons, who were 8 and 5 when she read the first book to them upon its release. From there, they took off on their own, reading the books as they came out every few years, she said.
Mrs. Senko and her husband decided on a vacation with their grown sons to Universal Studios in 2012 to visit the theme park inspired by the series.
“Both of them kept childlike at heart,” she said of their love for the seven books.
Tattooed on Mrs. Senko’s foot is the word “Believe.” Harry Potter glasses are laid over the B and the sword of Gryffindor dots the “i.”
She got the ink in memory of her younger son, who died in 2014.
Mrs. Senko said a universal messages she saw in the series was one of quality family time and imagination, which she said Ms. Rowling helped give her family.
“They were huge books and to see a 9-year-old and a 6-year-old read those books as a parent, to have your child reading instead of sitting in front of a TV, is very much appreciated as far as I’m concerned.”
Her kids certainly weren’t the only ones devouring every word Ms. Rowling put on the page. Since
June 26, 1997, more than 450 million of the Potter novels, translated into more than 60 languages, have been sold.
The seven-book set released over the course of 10 years was also turned into a major movie series starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint; the franchise raked in more than $2billion from eight movies.
So what draws millions of imaginations to the wizarding world of Hogwarts?
Maddie Krol, a desk clerk at the library who helped put on Monday’s event, said she believes readers can relate to the young wizard and his friends. She said the books teach that “no matter who you are, you’re important and you fit in somewhere.”
“Just because you’re Neville Longbottom doesn’t mean you’re not important,” said Ms. Krol, referring to a character often bullied early on in the series who eventually plays an important role in helping Harry Potter save the wizarding world from the antagonist,Lord Voldemort.
Ms. Krol said she also likes the opportunities for political discussion that make appearances throughout the books, including controversy over the freeing of house elves and the idea that the lives of wizards are more important than muggles, also known as nonmagicfolk.
And, even better, the books made reading cool, said Cindy Zelmore, another library desk clerk who also helped with Monday’s festivities.
“It normalized being a nerd,” said Ms. Zelmore, who added that she has read all the booksat least 10 times.
Library director Mary Kaufman said she was happy to share a love of what she called “world-saving” books with the newest generation of Potterheads, as the group on Monday participated in everything from potions class to devouring sweet treats from the book like cauldron cakes and butterbeer.
“That is one of the best,” said Mrs. Senko, pointing to a quote by the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, taped on a wall at the library: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
And, millions of devoted readers later, the British single mother and her made-up hero Harry Potter have proved that for so many people, they are that light.