Conceived in Brazil, born in Milan, baptized in the "Corriere dei Piccoli". Fifty years ago. July 13, 1975. And for fifty years she has always been five years old. A white dog with red polka dots, black eyes, long ears, tongue out. Pimpa.

Francesco Tullio Altan tells how it was his way of playing with his daughter Kika, gave her the nickname of a family friend, at first she wasn't as cute as now, but from the beginning she knew how to talk, and talked to everyone, even to the sun, moon and wind, her dad is Armando, and it is suspected that Altan transformed into Armando, "the dad I would have wanted to be able to impersonate", perhaps because he was able to watch over her without preventing her from doing anything and pretending to believe everything she tells him, and perhaps not just a dad but also grandfather, uncle, older brother, Pimpa's friend.

In 2004, Ediciclo published a small book, "Pimpa on a Bicycle", ten illustrations by Altan and a text written by Giancarlo Pauletto (boxed set, 32 pages, 8 euros). "Happiness, adventure, the joy of moving and having friends". And just like the bicycle, "Pimpa goes, happy, curious, generous", behind her a load of bunnies, in front on the seat the blue puppy Tito, or alongside her friend ladybug Bella, or in tandem with her sleepy friend Bunny. A small Noah's ark on two wheels and pedals, to explore, discover, meet. By bicycle because Altan pedaled in "Three Men on a Bicycle" (Feltrinelli, 2002), the text by Paolo Rumiz, technical notes by Emilio Rigatti and his illustrations, on the covers of about ten Ediciclo volumes, in many political cartoons, one above all, that young man with a beret, pants pulled up zuava-style and held with a clothespin, the bike held up by hand, the consideration "I bought the bike. I'm waiting for them to tell me where to go".

Designed for girls and boys, adopted by parents and grandparents, loved even by critics, Pimpa has multiplied into TV series and mini-series, TV programs and theatrical works, even a video game. And for her first fifty years, the Pimpa celebration has already begun: Bologna dedicated an exhibition to her at the Salaborsa library and a screening of short films at the Modernissimo cinema. More to come. Pimpa pedals floating through time.