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september 12, 2017 - moomin.museum

THE MOOMIN MUSEUM: A NEW CREATIVE OASIS IN THE HEART OF TAMPERE

THE #moominmuseum: A NEW CREATIVE OASIS IN THE HEART OF #tampere  


A new Finnish cultural landmark will be unveiled with the inaugural opening of the #moominmuseum at #tampere Hall this Saturday, June 17. The #moominmuseum is a brand-new, experiential art museum presenting original Moomin illustrations by the Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson (1914–2001). The museum is a storybook oasis inviting visitors to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy a unique immersive experience in the world of art. #tampere Art Museum’s Moominvalley Collection has been on display in temporary venues in #tampere for over 30 years, but now the museum – now officially renamed the #moominmuseum – has a permanent home in #tampere Hall. 


The #moominmuseum brings alive the wit, wisdom, fun and adventure of Tove Jansson’s original Moomin books and illustrations. The first permanent exhibition, Guess What Happens Next?, recounts the entire story of the Moomins, starting from the great flood to the mysterious disappearance of the Moomin family one grey November. Jansson’s texts and images are co-exhibited in a fresh, mutually enriching package, presenting each of the Moomin books in chronological order. The imaginative architecture recreates a magical, fairy-tale world while paying tribute to the original spirit of Jansson’s art. The illustrations are accompanied by a rich assortment of Jansson’s Moomin tales in the form of lively audio re-enactments, philosophical quotations by Moomin characters and written plot synopses. 


Jansson’s drawings and paintings are accompanied by a selection of three-dimensional Moomin tableaux by the graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä (1917–2009). These evocative dioramas portray events from the Moomin stories and comic strips. For the first time ever, the museum also highlights a selection of items from the Paraphernalia Collection, an archive of sketches, tools and materials used in the construction of the Moomin tableaux. Donated to the museum by Tove Jansson and Tuulikki Pietilä, the Paraphernalia Collection is an intriguing supplement to the actual art collection. In all, the exhibition features nearly 400 original Moomin illustrations and roughly thirty tableaux selected from the #tampere Art Museum Moominvalley Collection, which is the world’s largest collection of Jansson’s original Moomin-themed illustrations. 


The #moominmuseum offers excellent accessibility to visitors with special needs. Background information is provided in various forms, including info panels, printed guides and browsable screens. Visitors are also welcome to download the free #moominmuseum app from their app store, which contains both a conventional mobile guide and dramatized version. Guide material is available in Finnish, Swedish, English, Japanese and Russian. There are interactive exhibits such as the Hobgoblin’s hat, which produces magical transformations when visitors step inside, as well as a touch-controlled Hattifattener animation, not to mention other surprises for sharp-eyed visitors…


After a visit to the museum, be sure not to miss the Reading Room and its rare collection of Moomin titles, as well as the #tampere Hall Shop, which offers a selection of the museum’s exclusive Moomin souvenirs rounded out by a selection of Finnish design and music. Enjoy a relaxed lunch or special Moomin menu at #tampere Hall’s own restaurant, Tuhto, or various other catering establishments providing tailored services to groups. The Moomintroll statue is a popular spot for selfies on the #moominmuseum Path outside #tampere Hall. 


Besides offering plenty of fun and adventure, the #moominmuseum is also the perfect oasis for quiet enjoyment and contemplation. May the #moominmuseum be welcomed as a new urban refuge by all Moomin fans, art lovers and all visitors seeking an inspirational creative timeout.


We hope to see you soon!

For further information: 


Taina Myllyharju, Museum Director, tel. +358 (0)40 801 6665, taina.myllyharju(at)tampere.fi