The home of the Moomin Museum, the city of Tampere, is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Moomin stories in a number of ways. One of the highlights of the year is the Welcome to Moominhouse! exhibition in the Moomin Museum.
The first Moomin story, The Moomins and the Great Flood, was published in 1945. The Moomin stories celebrate 80 years next year, and the city of Tampere in Finland takes part in the anniversary celebrations with events and exhibitions.
From Midwinter Magic to The Great Birthday Party
The anniversary year begins with Midwinter Magic festivities on Epiphany. The free family event, organised in Tampere Hall on January 5, 2025, offers a glimpse into the anniversary year. During the day, visitors get to unleash their imagination in a paper architecture workshop, enjoy a musical experience by the Tampere Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, feast on a delicious pancake buffet, relax watching the Moominvalley animation and, of course, meet Moomintroll.
During the winter holiday week in February, you can encounter Moomins not only at the Moomin Museum but also at other cultural sites in the city. Collect an adventure map and spend a fun day navigating from one Moomin point to another! The Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra will premiere composer Minna Leinonen’s captivating new piece, which is inspired by Tove Jansson’s charming story The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My.
On Tove Jansson’s birthday, August 9, 2025, “Moomin 80 – The Great Birthday Party” will be held at Tampere Hall.
During the year, libraries in Tampere host discussions and cultural centers organize performances and workshops around Moomin. Moomin fans also have the chance to create their own art during the celebrations, with the My Moominhouse competition inviting everyone to create their own version of the Moominhouse and Tampere hosting Moominhouse workshops.
Moominhouse exhibition opens in June
One of the highlights of the year is the exhibition Welcome to Moominhouse! in the Moomin Museum. The exhibition opens on June 7, 2025 and continues until August 16, 2026.
The museum’s unique collection comprises thousands of works Tove Jansson and her companion Tuulikki Pietilä donated to the city of Tampere in the 1980s. The crown jewel of the collection is the five-storey, over two-metre-tall Moominhouse built by Tuulikki Pietilä, Pentti Eistola, and Tove Jansson. The exhibition gives visitors a peek inside the Moominhouse. The photos reveal even the most secret corners of the house that are not usually seen, such as the sauna. The exhibition also gives visitors an insight into the materials, sketches, architecture and construction stages of the house.
Images: Mikko Vares & Linus Lindholm
Tove Jansson artwork © MC™
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