Happy Birthday Finland!
Tove Jansson’s home country Finland celebrates 100 years of Independence on December 6, 2017. The theme for the celebratory year is “Together” showing that everyone is welcome, just like in the Moomin stories written in the 1940s-1970s. Acceptance of differences is a very actual theme today and in the Moomin stories, the door is always open for the ones seeking shelter.
Tove Jansson was a strong and independent woman who lived life the way she wanted to – unlimited by ideas about how a woman should behave or what her role should be – which isn’t too surprising considering where she grew up.
Sophia Jansson, the niece of Tove Jansson and creative director of Moomin Characters, said: “For more than 100 years women have had active roles in working life and decision making in Finland and this was one of the main reasons why my aunt had the possibility to do what she loved. Finland has always been a leader in women’s rights and was the first European country to give women the vote in 1906. I’m very happy to be a Finnish citizen and a woman who has in Finland equal rights to men.”
Being one of the Finland’s best-known and loved international artists, Tove Jansson was recently voted as a Swedish speaking Finn of the centenary of Finland’s independence. To celebrate Tove Jansson and Finland, here a loved #MoominClassic for you – how Finland influenced Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories.
7 wonderful ways Finland influenced Tove Jansson’s Moomin world
The fantastic world of the Moomins may seem surreal and magical, but many aspects of Tove Jansson’s creation are based on real life in her home country of Finland. While people all over the world identify with the universal appeal of the characters and their exploits, there are certain themes throughout the series that are inspired by uniquely Finnish and Nordic ideals and cultural traditions. So, let’s take a look at seven super ways Finland influenced the world of Moomins:
1. The Finnish Archipelago
With 179,584 islands, the archipelagos that surround the coast of Finland often play important roles in the lives of Finns. Many people spend their summers in cottages on these islands, relaxing and enjoying time away from daily life. The islands of the archipelago were a favorite destination of author Tove Jansson, who spent a great deal of time on the island of Klovharu. The influence that island life had on the Moomins was monumental; the natural setting, seclusion, and closeness to the sea of Moominvalley was inspired by it. The lighthouse setting of Moominpappa at Sea is also said to be based on the island of Söderskär, one of the many lighthouse islands that line Finland’s coast.
2. Nature
The beauty of nature is one of the Moomin books’ strongest themes. Take for example this quote from Comet in Moominland: “He thought about the sea, the rain, the wind, the sunshine, the grass and the moss… and how it would be impossible to live without them”.
Sophia Jansson, Tove Jansson’s niece, once described the connection between the Moomins and nature by explaining that “The Moomins have a great love and respect for nature, which is a particularly Finnish trait. They go for excursions in the forest or to the seaside, as many families here do.” Finns have a deep affinity and appreciation for nature, and talking long walks through forests, gathering wild berries and mushrooms, or boating on the sea are big parts of Finnish culture.
3. The harshness of winter
Like other Northern locations, winters in Finland can be unforgivingly cold and harsh. Undoubtedly, many Finns wish that they could hibernate through the worst of it like the Moomins do! On the other hand, there remains a sense of fondness for the quiet and beauty of winter snow, crackling hearth fires, and swirling Northern Lights—much like the Moomins in Moominland Midwinter!
4. Finnish food
“One can’t be too dangerous, if they like to eat pancakes. Especially with jam on it.”, Moomintroll once wisely said. Aside from pancakes with jam, the Moomin books are filled with traditional Finnish foods like fish, berries, spiced wine, and buns. There’s even a Moomins Cookbook for those that want eat like a Moomin!
5. Appreciation for peace, melancholy and solitude
“Walking had been easy, because his knapsack was nearly empty and he had no worries on his mind. He felt happy about the wood and the weather, and himself. Tomorrow and yesterday were both at a distance, and just at present the sun was shining brightly red between the birches, and the air was cool and soft.
It’s the right evening for a tune, Snufkin thought. A new tune, one part expectation, two parts spring sadness, and for the rest, just the great delight of walking alone and liking it.”
This quote from Tales from Moominvalley sums up nicely how an appreciation for peace, melancholy, and solitude can be found in the Moominworld. Many might say that Finns also find comfort in these feelings, something that frequently ties in with the Finnish connection to nature. If the Moomins have taught us anything, it’s that it’s OK (and even good) to experience a range of emotions!
6. The importance of small pleasures
Although they often ponder the deep and powerful things in life, the Moomins also love the smaller things in life. As Moomintroll puts it, “I only want to live in peace and plant potatoes and dream!”
The Moomins love for little things mirrors the high value that Finnish culture places on the importance of small pleasures, whether it be a tasty snack or a few minutes in the sunshine. And who doesn’t love the simplicity of warm pancakes or a mysterious path to follow?
7. Midsummer celebrations
Midsummer Eve is one of Finland’s biggest holidays, with people all over the country gathering together to celebrate. The celebration takes place on the summer equinox, which is the longest day of the year—and in Finland, that can mean celebrating in the light of a Midnight Sun. Finns celebrate in a variety of ways, such as building bonfires or heading to cottages in the countryside. Midsummer celebrations like this are portrayed in Moominsummer Madness, in which the Moomin family celebrates the longest day of the year in their own way.
There you have it, seven wonderful ways that Finland helped to shape the world of Moomins into the beautiful place that we all know and love. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Moominvalley, Finland would be the closest that you can get!
Happy Birthday, Finland!
The blog post ‘Super Suomi: 7 wonderful ways Finland influenced Tove Jansson’s Moomin world’ was published on moomin.com in 2014.