The opening of the Moomin Museum and the operational renovation project conducted at Tampere Hall together form the largest cultural undertaking in Finland during Finland’s centenary. Based on the original artwork of Tove Jansson, the only Moomin Museum opens its doors at Tampere Hall on the 17th of June. A Grand Opening celebration with over 50 different attractions will be held at Tampere Hall and Sorsapuisto park on the 17th and 18th of June.
The Moomin Museum aims at reaching up to 200,000 visitors a year
Tampere Art Museum’s Moominvalley collection has been on display in Tampere for over 30 years. Now the museum, renamed the Moomin Museum, has a permanent home at Tampere Hall. 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.
Inside the museum a visitor can sense the wisdom, humor, adventurousness, and friendliness inspired by the Moomin books and illustrations that are familiar to people all around the world. In the first exhibit “Guess 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. In the middle of the exhibition space lies the pride of the collection; a five-story Moominhouse that hides all kinds of secrets. The museum also holds some interactive pieces such as the Magician’s Hat that can be climbed into, and a 3D-modelled Moominhouse.
Tove Jansson, Tuulikki Pietilä and Pentti Eistola building the five-storey
Moominhouse in the 1970s
The Moomin Museum is expected to attract up to 200,000 visitors into the city per year. Museum director Taina Myllyharju believes that during the first year up to half of the visitors can be expected to come from Asia. The Moomin Museum has, in addition to Japan, generated interest in countries such as China and Korea.
Contrary to tradition, the opening ceremony will be celebrated with the whole public
The opening of the revamped Tampere Hall and the Moomin Museum will be celebrated with a get-together that is open to everyone and offers a wide range of free activities. During the Grand Opening celebration on the 17th and 18th of June, Tampere Hall and Sorsapuisto park will be filled with activities and attractions for all ages.
The official opening of the museum takes place on Saturday the 17th at 11 o’clock by Sophia Jansson, the niece of Tove Jansson and the creative director of Moomin Characters Co., and Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, the Mayor of Tampere between 2013 – 2017. Tampere Hall accommodates multiple free musical performances from artists such as Benny Törnroos, the father of classic Moomin songs, Mikko Alatalo, singer of classic children’s songs, and familiar characters from Moominland. In addition, visitors can attend Moomin themed puppet theater and dance shows, or taste the Moomin Menu of restaurant Tuhto. Actor Antti Majanlahti will be the host of the weekend.
The park next to Tampere Hall, Sorsapuisto, will also be filled with things to see and do throughout the weekend. On Saturday tens of organizations and businesses will hold activities where visitors can enter contests, participate in story times, carve boats from tree bark and release them in the pond, or get to know the kitchen of the Moomins. On Sunday, a large marketplace for toys and Moomin-themed kitchenware will be held for visitors to make discoveries in, and meet with other collectors of Moomin kitchenware and other merchandise.
During the opening weekend, over 50 different activities and attractions will take place at Tampere Hall and Sorsapuisto. All but the Moomin Museum will be available free of charge.
See you in Tampere!
Cover photo:
Tove Jansson for Moumine le Troll (Finn Family Moomintroll), 1968.
Moomin Museum, Tampere Art Museum Moominvalley Collection © Moomin Characters™
Photo of Tampere Hall: Tampere Hall
Moominhouse photos: © Moomin Characters™