Welcome to the Moominhouse! June 7, 2025–August 30, 2026
The Moominhouse is the Moomin family’s home, safe haven, and base of adventure. Friends, wanderers and sundry creatures alike are always welcome, whether for a brief visit or a longer stay. Everyone is always greeted with open arms. Moominmamma fills the house with the delicious smell of freshly baked pancakes, Moominpappa busies himself writing his memoirs, while Moomintroll keeps the world’s last dragon as his pet. The extended Moomin family includes their mischievous adoptive daughter, Little My, and Ninny the Invisible Child, who slowly becomes visible again thanks to the loving attention she receives from the Moomins. Behind the glazed stove lurks the mysterious Ancestor, and among the family’s frequent guests is a naughty prankster called Stinky. The Moominhouse symbolises togetherness, equality, and shelter. Always full of life, it is a place where everyone is free to be exactly who they are.
The animation at the start of the exhibition tells the story of the first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945). The book recounts the family’s first exciting adventure, which culminates in them finding their way to Moominvalley. There they discover the Moominhouse built by Moominpappa, which the flood happens to have carried to the valley. The round, blue house with its turreted roof looks exactly like an old-fashioned porcelain stove, and the Moomins instantly feel at home. “Three rooms,” said Moominpappa. “One sky-blue, one sunshine-yellow and one spotted. And a guestroom in the attic for you, small creature [Sniff].”
The floor plan of the Moominhouse is illustrated in detail in the map of Moominvalley found on the opening pages of Finn Family Moomintroll. It shows that there are guest rooms for Hemulen, Thingumy and Bob, the Muskrat, Snork and his sister. Moomintroll shares his room with his best friend Snufkin. Guests come and go, some staying longer than others.
The Moominhouse tableau (1979) built by Tove Jansson (1914-2001), Tuulikki Pietilä (1917–2009) and Pentti Eistola (1931–2022) differs from the way the house is described in the Moomin books both in its shape and details. For this exhibition, we have recreated a life-sized version of the tableau’s parlour, complete with identical wallpaper, curtains and furniture. Inside, visitors will find a display of Tove Jansson’s original illustrations of goings-on in the Moominhouse and its many guests and inhabitants. The most recent illustrations were created for Moominvalley in November (1970). In that story, a procession of visitors shows up at the Moominhouse, only to find that the Moomin family has deserted Moominvalley. As winter approaches, Hemulen, Fillyjonk, Mymble, Snufkin, Grandpa Grumble and Toft gather to reminisce longingly about the absent Moomins. The story ends on a note of hope, however, as a boat appears on the horizon, hinting that the Moomins are on their way home.
The exhibition concludes with a glimpse into the secrets of the Moominhouse tableau, which forms part of the Moomin Museum’s permanent exhibit. The huge amount of work involved in the three-year process of building the tableau is illustrated by a documentary film, sketches, material samples, craft supplies and a large collection of small accessories. Symbolically, the tableau is a reminder of the importance of play in the lives of children and adults alike.
