The world’s only Moomin Museum has now opened its doors at the Tampere Hall in Tampere, Finland. In 1986, Tove Jansson donated a collection of more than 2000 works to Tampere Art Museum and for over thirty years part of the collection has been on display in Tampere Art Museum Moominvalley. The collection is now conservated and moved to Tampere Hall and exhibited at the new Moomin Museum with approximately three times more space compared to the old premises.
The Museum Director Taina Myllyharju,
the Creative Director of Moomin Characters Sophia Jansson,
Mayor of Tampere Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, and the CEO of Tampere Hall Paulina Ahokas
Unprecedented Moomin treasures
Even though part of the collection has been on display in Tampere for decades, the new Moomin Museum guarantees a unique experience for everyone. Tove Jansson’s collection is presented in a modern, experiential and multisensory way in the world’s only Moomin Museum. The Moomin Museum is a nontraditional museum where the original artwork of author/artist Tove Jansson and the 3D tableaus of graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä can be displayed in a way that stimulates the senses.
The donations included also up to 61 cardboard boxes full of rare Moomin items which have been waiting for a proper analyzing until last winter! Part of the unseen Moomin treasures is now presented at the Museum for the first time. This significant addition to the collection is known as the Paraphernalia Collection featuring items such as Moomin figures, materials used in the tableaus, photographs, slides and original letters.
Moomin museum’s manuscript is by the Exhibition Manager, Tampere Art Museum’s exhibition curator, Virpi Nikkari and the museum is designed by the architect, artist Taina Väisänen.
Comet artwork welcomes you to the museum
Moomin Museum in Tampere ordered an artwork from the Finnish artist Hanna Vihriälä. Vihriälä is known for her Rose artwork for the Marimekko + Kiasma = Together / Kimpassa exhibition in Helsinki in 2013. The beautiful Rose was made of candies pinned on a fabric.
The work is inspired by the Tove Jansson’s original drawings for the book Comet in Moominland. Vihriälä’s work consists of more than 200 000 acrylic beads as well as stainless wires and aluminum ferrules setting the beads in their places. The material choices and technology brings airiness, lightness, and light for the comet artwork.
Hanna Vihriälä: Comet, 2017
The exhibition “What happens next?”
In the first exhibit “What happens next?” visitors can learn about the whole story of the Moomins all the way from the great flood to the mysterious disappearance of the Moomin family one November. In total, there are nearly 400 original illustrations and about 30 tableaus on display.
Museum Director Taina Myllyharju says: “In the middle of the exhibition we have the pride of the collection; a five-storey Moominhouse built by Tove Jansson, Tuulikki Pietilä and Pentti Eistola. The museum also holds some interactive pieces such as the Magician’s Hat that can be climbed into, as well as a 3D-modelled Moominhouse.”
The five-storey Moominhouse built in the 1970s by Tove Jansson, Tuulikki Pietilä, and Pentti Eistola
The book about the exhibition gives an insight into the Tove Jansson’s work
Extensive exhibition book surely will give new interesting information for all those Moomin and Tove Jansson fans who thinks knowing already everything. The book can be bought from the museum shop at Tampere Hall that sells also other exciting Moomin products. The shop’s selection includes, for example, a wide range of Moomin books written and illustrated by Tove Jansson, plush toys, kitchenware and other decorative elements for home. Moomin postcards sent from Tampere Hall will also get the special Moomin Museum postmark!
Moomin Museum’s Reading Room open for everyone
Moomin stories can also be experienced in the Moomin Museum’s Reading Room opened in November 2016. The library’s collection includes Moomin books in dozens of different languages as well as books full of information about Tove Jansson. At Moomin Museum’s Reading Room you will find Moomin books for example in Afrikaans, Dutch, Japanese, Karelian, Korean and Chinese.
The Reading Room attracts visitors to Tampere Hall’s main lobby and it may be visited at any time during the opening hours of Tampere Hall. Books can’t be borrowed, but Moomin books can be bought from the shop.
Photo: Jari Kuusenaho / Moomin Museum
Moomin Museum website
Tampere Hall
Yliopistonkatu 55,
33100 Tampere
Photo of the Reading Room: Jari Kuusenaho / Moomin Museum
Other images: © Moomin Characters™