German-born Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler has branded the process of applying for British citizenship “a complete farce”. The 68-year-old animator, who has worked on BBC Christmas animations for well over a decade, originates from Hamburg but has lived in the UK since 1982, when he moved to study at The Bath Academy of Art.
When he decided he wanted “legal security” to stay in the country, he was not impressed when he had to take the Home Office’s British Citizenship test. He claims he found the questions about The British Empire “imperialistic” and was stunned that he was expected to know about UK sporting successes and famous athletes.
Test described as ‘imperialistic’
Axel said: “I decided to get a British passport to ensure that I can stay in this country as there has never been any legal guarantee for EU citizens to stay. Any government could withdraw the ‘settled status’ rule.
“I had a lawyer to help with the process and I remember my first impression. You have to prove where you've been all these years. Then you have to take a test which is a complete farce because the textbook you're supposed to study from is still very imperialistic.
“It contains false information, totally superfluous knowledge, including sports questions. I don’t think questions about sport should be relevant in a citizen’s test.
“It was annoying and absurd because most Brits wouldn't pass the test anyway.”
Practice papers and citizenship questions
Online practice papers for the ‘Life in the UK’ Test include example questions such as “Mary Peters won an Olympic gold medal in which event?” (Answer: Pentathlon) and “Where is the National Horseracing Museum located?” (Newmarket). It also asks about British history and UK Government and law over 24 multiple choice questions.
Asked if his life had changed in any way since being granted citizenship, Axel added: “Not really. I’m still an EU passport holder and it makes travelling/crossing the border a bit easier to have dual citizenship.”
Career and Brexit views
Axel is most famous for illustrating children’s books with writer Julia Donaldson, including The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog, The Highway Rat and the pair’s most recent publication Gruffalo Granny. He has spoken out in the past about how he was not a fan of Brexit.
The artist said: “There would have been no Gruffalo without the EU facilitating my study here. And, even if I had, somehow, studied in the UK, I would have had to leave after my studies ended in 1985. So there would never have been the successful Anglo-German joint venture Donaldson-Scheffler.”
