They’re round, white and soft. Almost like hippopotamus’s, Moomins are the main characters of the comics, books and films created by the Finnish author Tove Jansson. Moomins are a phenomenon that has found its way into people’s hearts to stay. At least in Scandinavia, Japan and Poland, where it has reached its biggest audiences through film. Every Finnish person knows the stories about the invisible girl, who got her body back by gaining confidence with the Moomins, the Lady Hemulen who got her head stuck in a kettle for being selfish, the Little My who loved so much she lost her ability to talk, the escape from the scary Comet that would destroy the valley and The Magician’s hat that transferred egg shells into clouds that could hold a Moomin and still fly. The world of Moomins is a world where incredible things happen.
Tove Jansson as an author
Tove Jansson is the most translated Finnish author; today, Moomin books are read in over 30 different languages and they have claimed their spots in world’s most loved fairy tale literacy, with Winnie the Pooh, Little Prince and Pippi Langstrump. Through her work, Tove wished to picture the state of the current world and wrote not only for kids. It has been said that the success behind the Moomin books come from balancing between the young and the older audiences. Boel Westin, researcher of Swedish literature, says Tove Jansson used a whole variety of literacy genres in her work. The style varies from fantasy to Shakespeare.
Moomin’s drawn character comes from the 1930’s. The big-nosed creature that we now know as the Moomintroll found his way from Tove’s diaries to a Finnish comic paper Garm back in the 1940’s. Tove started to write and draw to various magazines at the age of 14; combining the word and the picture was a given to Jansson.
Tove’s first real novel got its inspiration from the war. The Flood in Moominvalley was written during the Winter War, 1939-1940. Its main character Moomintroll is characterised rather comic, because Tove didn’t think it was reasonable to describe the war as romantic or beautiful. Tove changed her technique during the Moomin years. The first Moomin Troll was skinny and sharp-eyed, but when the war was over he started to become softer and rounder. The roundest he was in the 1958, in the Midsummer Madness which is the happiest book of the series. In Winter in Moominvalley Moomintroll loses some weight again and the book focuses more on his facial expressions.
All the Moomin books take place in a valley, where the Moomin family lives in a blue, tall house. Moomintroll and his family is accompanied by a large group of orphan children, relatives, ancestors, neighbours, friends and scary strangers. Moomins often face great adventures or troubles such floods, comets, hurricanes and sea monsters. They begin with journeys and end with homecomings. Every book has a happy ending, where the Moomin family get home safely and life normalizes. With a big party and lots of food.
Moomin Experiences
“For the first time of my life I bought a book, at the age of eight. I had a note of 5 Marks (about 90 cents in Euro). I wanted to use the money for something that I found interesting, so when I held the book in my hands, I knew I needed to buy it. The book was Tove Jansson’s “Finn Family Moomintroll”. Often I would just look at the drawings where these odd characters wander in weird places. During these 40 years I have read “Finn Family Moomintroll” tens of times. I have got two favourite scenes that have become my life guidelines.”
Tarja Levo, 48, isn’t the only one who has gotten her life guidelines from a Moomin book.
Moomins have given many happy memories to children and their parents for decades. Sonja Marks, 24, remembers one summer at her grandparents cabin in Sweden’s Malmö, when an innocent belief in magic lead to a mess in the kitchen. “I once tried to bake a cake in my grandfather’s hat. My grandmother was so angry at me I was afraid to tell her why I did it. Finally, I gathered myself together and told her I had read in the Finn Family Moomintroll that the eggshells could turn into clouds in Magigian’s hat. Grandma looked at me and smiled. Then she walked into the kitchen, took some eggs and broke them in the hat. Nothing happened but we sure got a good laugh. And grandpa got a new hat.”
Moomins have gained a permanent spot in the Finnish childhood education and continue to give advice, entertainment, comfort and ethical lessons today, 65 years after the releasing of the first Moomin book, Finn Family Moomintroll. Hemulen’s wear dresses despite the gender and it is okay to fall in love with a mermaid.
Meet the Moomins
Even thought the Moomins don’t resemble human beings, they have characteristics very similar to ours. One could find herself reminding the edgy, stubborn Little My, tiny but strong. Other could find a bit of Snufkin inside of him, the urge to wander away for the winter and enjoy being alone. Not to mention Hemulen, the hoarder or Moominmamma who’s a bit like every mom is -loving, caring, great cook and an amazing problem solver. This is what makes Moomins so special; they are easy to relate to.
Each story has a lesson, it teaches something new, usually what’s ethically right and wrong and how important it is to keep yourself close to those you love. For some, Moomin books might seem melancholic, because of its very typical, Finnish, simple story telling and tone. But actually, even though Tove Jansson herself came out a bit of a melancholic woman, she meant to fill her books with hope and happiness. And she sure did.
This is why it is not only the children who love the Moomins, adults can find hidden meanings and subplots in each book. And this is not a coincidence, Tove Jansson always wrote fiction based on real life experiences and dreams, she used her friends and family members to get inspiration on character developing. There is a lot of similarities between Moominmamma and Tove’s mother Signe Hammarsten-Jansson and Too-Ticky and Tove’s life partner Tuulikki Pietilä.
Moomin World in Naantali, Finland
The Danish gave Lego Legoland, The Belgians gave Tin Tin Walibi, The Americans gave Walt Disney Disneyworld, The Swedish gave Pippi Langstrump Astrid Lindgren’s World and The Finnish, naturally, gave Moomins The Moomin World.
Moomin World is a theme park that celebrates the great heritage of Tove Jansson, The Moomins. Open whole summer and one month in the winter, Moomin World provides exhibitions, musical performances, theatre shows and games. All the loved Moomin characters are out and about, giving visitors hugs and telling stories. You can visit the badly behaving Stinky in the prison, taste Moominmamma’s delicious pancakes and read Moominpappa’s memorabilia. And with a good eye sight and patience, you might spot the funny -looking sea creature in the sea.
For Finnish people, Moomins are a product that they are proud of. When a Finnish person moves abroad, in a couple of months has ones apartment turned into a Moomin museum filled with Moomin mugs, Moomin sheets, Moomin tea towels, stuffed toy Moomins and Moomin cutlery. A Moomin merchandise is a must-buy souvenir for every tourist that lands their feet on the Finnish grounds. I know some people who read Tove Jansson’s books to their dogs, and say the dogs understand it all. Who knows, maybe they do. After all, the world of Moomins is a world where incredible things happen.
Legendary Moomin quotes
“You can’t ever be really free if you admire somebody too much.” Tales from Moominvalley
“But that’s how it is when you start wanting to have things. Now, I just look at them, and when I go away I carry them in my head. Then my hands are always free, because I don’t have to carry a suitcase.” Comet in Moominvalley
“Lie on the bridge and watch the water flowing past. Or run, or wade through the swamp in your red boots. Or roll yourself up and listen to the rain falling on the roof. It’s very easy to enjoy yourself.” Moominvalley in November
“Making a journey by night is more wonderful than anything in the world.” Moominpappa at Sea
“There’s no need to imagine that you’re a wondrous beauty, because that’s what you are.” Moominsummer madness
The Moomin and the Comet chase got its premiere in Ireland in Cork Fil Festival in November 2010. It was the first Scandinavian full animation made in 3D.
