Tove Jansson AND THE MOOMIN’S WORLD
“
“ TOVE JANSSON
Project realized by Alessia Crupi, Kate Schreiner and Valia Karpouzi year 2014/2015 Finland close-up course Teacher: Rebecca Libermann Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Science
INDEX
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The life of Tove Jansson
pag 4
Moomin, simbol of Finland
pag 10
Moomin’s world
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My dear reader, one of the happiest moments in a writer’s life is when the publisher decides to print new editions of her work, trusting that new generations of readers will keep on coming. It is not always a given that all new fairytale readers are children. I’m sure there is a growing number of adults eager to venture the land of imagination, a place where rules and disappointments of everyday reality do not haunt, where reality is defined by the author’s honesty and sense of justice. Without them, there would be no limit to the terrible and scary stories the author might concoct for the reader. However, the author of the adventures presented here wished to offer excitement – and comfort – not only for her reader, but obviously for herself as well!
Love, Tove Jansson, 1987
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1. THE LIFE OF TOVE JONSSON T
ove Marika Jansson was born on 9 August 1914 in Helsinki to a family of artists, the graphic designer Signe Hammarsten and the sculptor Viktor Jansson. In 1918, Finland was torn by civil war, and in a letter to his wife from the front, Viktor wrote: �Maybe one day our Tove will be a great artist. Really great!� Ultimately, the father’s wish came true more fully than the parents probably dared to imagine. Their firstborn became one of the best-known Finnish artists in the world. Tove and her two brothers Per Olov and Lars grew up in an ambitious artist family, living and breathing art. The open-minded, bohemian home atmosphere encouraged the talented Tove to search her own artistic expression, which produced striking results with intuitive certainty from early on.
Jansson studied art both in Stockholm and Helsinki. The acclaim she received for her first exhibitions opened up the possibility of seeking inspiration from abroad. Her first trips to France and Italy consolidated her style, which was original, yet conscious of the tradition of visual art. Even in the 1930s, Jansson was already a diligent and versatile artist despite her young age. During her first decades as an artist, Jansson produced not only paintings, but also an astonishing variety of illustrations. She was a contributor of the liberal satire magazine Garm since the early age of 15. During the Second World War, the prolific illustrator was able to distance herself from the reality of a small country involved in war and to ridicule the world ruled by madmen, each crazier than the next.
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The peculiar large-nosed character later to be known as Moomintroll made its first appearance on the pages of Garm. In the midst of the mass bombings of Helsinki in 1944, Jansson managed to get an attic studio in the centre of the Helsinki, in Ullanlinnankatu 1. The studio became her cherished home, a source of power and a haven, where she created her most renowned paintings and texts. It was there that Jansson finished her first book featuring Moomintroll. The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945) was the first volume in the series that was to become the most prominent and best-known part of Jansson’s career as an artist. In the book, Moomintroll was accompanied by an entire family of Moomins and an assortment of other creatures drawn to Moominvalley. The story was further animated by the author’s illustrations depicting Moomin life with clean graphic lines.
chapter 1
Even her contemporaries saw that Jansson’s tales from Moominvalley were not simply children’s stories, but presented an entire philosophy of life. The world of sympathetic Moomins was easy to enter, but readers found a deeper level behind the characters and their adventures:
asking tricky questions and discovering the world with an open mind was the right thing to do. The first Moomin book was not an immediate hit, but with the third story, Finn Family Moomintroll (1948), Jansson’s reputation rapidly spread across the borders of Finland and Sweden. As early as in the 1950s, she made a distribution contract with the largest evening paper of the time, the London-based Evening News, about the Moomin comic strips written and drawn by her. Soon, the comics were read in more than 20 countries. As the success of Jansson’s books and comics snowballed, Moomins became a phenomenon calling for her intensive participation all over the world. After the first wave, one generation after the other has eagerly embraced Moomins. Moomins have appeared in countless television, movie, theatre and opera productions. The Moomin books have been translated into more than 40 languages for an audience of millions. Obviously, a fame of such proportions was quite demanding for the artist. However, Jansson never secluded herself from her audience, since she understood that friends of the Moomins wanted to get to know the artist behind them. Typically, she wanted to personally answer each and every fan letter she received.
Tove Jansson and the moomin-s words
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As a visual artist, Jansson mastered many techniques and held exhibitions that took her art to new and sometimes experimental directions. Apart from paintings, she created highly esteemed graphic prints and public works from murals to mosaics. Open-mindedness and love of freedom were the essence of Jansson’s personality:
even in the earliest notes from her youth, she contemplated art and life questioning the conventional and seeking new horizons. As a writer, Jansson did not want the stunning success of Moomins to limit her freedom either. After Moominvalley in November (1970), it was time for something new. In 1968, she had published the childhood description Sculptor’s Daughter for adult readers, but it was the acclaimed collection The Listener (1971) that showcased her as a short story writer for the first time. Her next work, The Summer Book(1972), is a small gem, a novel depicting the summer of a young girl and her grandmother on an island, written with clarity and elegance. True Deceiver (1982) surprised readers with its intense and perceptive portrayal of power, deception and lies. Jansson composed her short stories and novels painstakingly: she was the master of restrained prose and skilful compositions. Jansson’s last published work, Viesti, a compilation of her short stories not yet translated in English, appeared in 1998 when she was 84 years old.
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Jansson’s studio in Helsinki was dedicated for work, but since her childhood, she had fallen in love with islands. She spent many summers on the tiny island of Klovharu in the Gulf of Finland. There and in her frequent travels abroad, she was accompanied by her life partner ”Tooti”: Tuulikki Pietilä (1917– 2009), graphic artist and professor. Engaged in both visual art and literature, Tove Jansson (1914–2001) lived a long and rich life, creating an exceptionally
chapter 1
large and multifaceted body of work. She became “really great” the way her father had hoped, finding her way to the hearts of her audience with her delicate and touching style, which was elaborated through an incredible amount of tireless work. Her prodigious life’s work spans many different art forms, since as an artist, Jansson did not acknowledge any boundaries between them. For her, art and life, work and love were one.
Tove Jansson and the moomin-s words
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2. MOOMIN, SIMBOL OF FINLAND T
oveJansson’s youth is truly the epicenter of the worldwide phenomenon that is Moomin. The Moomin stories, and even more so- the Moomin characters- have become such a large part of the Finnish culture, as well as being internationally recognizable! The moomintroll characters are amoungst the most popular characters and paraphernalia can be found in just about any Finnish household! Finland holds these stories and characters very close to it’s heart – not only do children adore the characters, but the older generation of Finland has a soft spot for Moomin and his friends too because of the uniqueness of the stories and their charm. Unfortunately, Tove grew up during some of the hardest times, which would eventually shape the way she told her stories. Growing up, Tove was surrounded by 2 contrasting elements; the beauty and freedom of art, and the fear and uncertainty of war. Somehow, these two harsh contrasts worked in favour of each other, and the phenomenon of Moomin emerged.
There is a certain initial charm to the Moomin stories and characters, but there is always an underlying issue or historical event that presents itself in the form of a Moomin character, or a situation in which the Moomin characters find themselves in. Tove’s anxiety and depression caused by the war, and her secret life as a homosexual caused her to write about hard-hitting life events in the form of easy-going children’s stories, with friendly characters. The contrast of this alone adds to the charm and quirk of ToveJansson and her multiple Moominstories, which were published worldwide! The Russian Revolution and Finnish Civil War gave Tove a slight dark outlook on things, encouraging her to develop her first Moomin-like troll which was meant to be the ugliest creature she could come up with. After Garm Magazine published her scary character in 1943, the Moomin character was on it’s way to global fame. Tove developed stories regarding these troll-like characters that could easily be mistaken for as a hippopotamus if looked at by anyone who isn’t Finnish.
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Swedish publishing company “Söderström& Co” published her first story, “Moominsand the Great Flood” two years after the development of her first Moomin character. Just one year after the publishing of her first story, her second book, “Comet in Moominland” was published. In this book, more main characters were introduced to the world, and quickly became as loved as Moomin himself!
in over 40 countries were reading these Moomin comics on a daily basis! Because of the growing worldwide popularity in 1954-when these comic strips were published- the first Moomin product was launched in the market place for excited Moomin fans to get their hands on! By 1957, Tove had been well on her way with writing, as this was when her 5th series of the beloved book was pubished.
By 1948, her third Moomin book was published, however this one was special because it was her first book which was published in English! As her Moomin novel repertoire was growing, so was the use of these loved charaters; London newspaper, “The Evening News” published the first ever Moomin comic strip- this was Moomin’s move into the international market as 20 million readers
As time went on, and Moomin continued to expand within the market, the characters were being portrayed in theatre plays, television series, operas, and even in the Tampere Art Museum by 1987! One of the most rewarding things that were established because of this initially “Ugly troll-like” character was the grand opening of the Moominworld Theme Park in Naantali, Finland in 1993!
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3. MOOMIN’S WORLD MOOMINVALLEY
T
he Moomins company go around of the beach, stay it the boats and visit so many deferments place of itch story. But exist theirpleases who they love and stay there. The mainly place of the Moomin cartoon is accurate two. The most common place of Moomin character is the Moominvalley. The is a peaceful and very beautiful place where the Moomins live in to the nature. There exist one very big river that runs through this valley. That river lies between the sea and the mountains. Also exist a range where they called Lonely Mountains. In spring Moomimamma’s make a beautiful garden in the forest. In summer they love the sea and enjoy handling at the beach. As autumns approaches the Moomins prepare to hibernate. And they had already slept well when the snow arrive.
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MOOMINHOUS
T
he Moomins family live in a round, blue house who they call Moominhouse. The original had only two stories but later - because they had a lot of visitors - they take the decision to build one more floor. Moominpappa is very proud of that house, because he made that alone and if it something happened they could go inside and be save.
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THE MAIN CHARACTERS
MOOMINTROL He is an agreeable fellow Moomin that he interesting for almost everything. He loves to learn and explore but his favorite is to collecting rocks and shells. He also love the sea and their family. When the Moomin family had visitors he is super happy and he love to spend time with them. He try to make everyone happy and if it something bud happened to them the Moomintroll is really aspect. He loves that place that they live but if it is necessary to go outside he is very brave and he try to understand the different thinks and creatures and he try to convince everyone that isn’t necessary to fear him and his family. Moreover he loves very much the Moominmamma. Moomintroll is a dreamer and his best friends is the Snuflic.
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MOOMINMAMMA The Moominmamma as all mothers try to keep the Moominhouse safety, beautiful and welcome for everyone. She is very calm and she never he accept for little things. Also she thinking that is better for everyone to learnfor your faults and she live the things to happen unless she can understand that someone bothered, only in that case she will be intervened. All trust and love Moominmamma. If someone had birthday she always make sweets. If she would live to be allow that go outside and collect shells. Moominmamma wear an apron and carries a handbag if she didn’t have that stuff something but it had been happening!
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MOOMINPAPPA The Moominpappa love to learn and to discover new places and new staffs. He is really philosophical person. Also he considers himself to be very knowledgeable and an expert in many fields and he is always willing to offer advice to others. Moomipappa have a lot of secrets even though some he accidentally let them split out. Moreover he loves whisky. He enjoy ponder life’s big idiom and often make notes of his observation. You can recognize Moominpappa from his top hat and walking stick. We meet him for the first book and he tells us all about their life’s.
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SNORKMAIDEN Snorkmaiden is Moomintroll’s friend and playmate. They love each other a lot and love hanging out together. Snorkmaiden is happy and energetic. Snorkmaiden is a daydreamer and often imagines what her prince charming will be like. She is also a little vain and flirtatious. Snork is Snorkmaiden’s brother. They are both Snorks, a species that differs slightly from the Moomins. One special characteristic of Snorks is that they always change colour according to their mood. When Snorkmaiden is upset, she turns light green. Snorkmaiden’s friend always keeps neatly combed. He also wears a gold anklet.
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LITTLE MY Little my lives with the Moomins in the Moominhouse, even though she isn’t related to them. She is brave and fearless but sometimes she really seems to love small catastrophes. She is happy and friendly but a lot of time is fiery and irritable with small thinks. She never does mean things on purpose. Little My always wants to decide thinks for herself. Mess and untidiness don’t bother her at all: in fact, life is much more exciting that way. Being quite small, she can hide in a milk jug or amongst the ladles and whisks in a kitchen drawer. Sometimes she goes to sleep inSnufkin’s pocket. In spite of her wild and reckless acts, Little My is honest and reliable. She’s at home in every situation. Little My was born on midsummer night. The Moomin family took her in when she was still very young. The elder Mymble is her mother and Snufkin is her halfbrother. She is also sister to the younger Mymble. Little My wears her bright, copper-red hair in an onion-shaped bun on top of her head and usually wears a red dress.
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SNUFKIN Snufkin is a philosophical vagabond who wanders the world fishing and playing the harmonica. He carries everything he needs in his backpack, as he believes that having too much stuff makes life overly complicated. Snufkin is easygoing and carefree, and enjoys thinking about things. He always comes and goes as he pleases. He has plenty of admirers in Moominvalley, especially among the smaller and more timid inhabitants. Snufkin meets every new person and event with curiosity and a warm heart. He enjoys spending time with the Moomins in Moominvalley, but in November he always goes south for the winter, only returning to Moominvalley in the spring. The enigmatic Snufkin does not avoid other people’s company, but he does prefer to travel alone. Snufkin loves to go wandering at night and especially in the moonlight. He never asks the names of the new places he visits, but simply enjoys the journey itself. Snufkin always wears a dark green hat with a wide brim and a similarly colored, shabby old coat. He first joins the Moomins on their adventures in the book Comet in Moominland.
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TOO-TICKY Too-Ticky is a dear friend of the Moomin family. She is wise woman who knows how to solve all sorts of dilemmas in a sensible and practical way. Too-Ticky is like a little whirlwind and always dives straight into action. Too-Ticky stands out from the rest of the Moominvalley crowd, as she doesn’t hibernate. She spends the winter in the Moomin family’s bathhouse. Too-Ticky wears a striped shirt, dark trousers and a bobble hat. We first meet her in the book Moominland Midwinter, in whichMoomintroll wakes up in the middle of hibernation and learns to understand winter with Too-Ticky’s help.
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SNIFF Sniff is Moomintroll’s immature friend and later adopted brother. He is one of the few characters in the Moomin series who is sincerely interested in money, and is always on the lookout for another way to get rich quick Sniff seems to be younger than the other major characters, and many of his negative qualities can be said to be those of a thoughtless child; he is selfish, greedy and quick to push all responsibility over on other people, but he is not malicious or mean-spirited. He’s also easily frightened or upset, and not very fond of taking risks, although he will often overcome his fears if there’s a chance of treasure or wealth.
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MYMBLE She is Little My’s older sister. The Mymble’s Daughter is very independent and carefree. She has long legs, red rubber boots, and glossy reddish-yellow hair that she wears in a little topknot on her head.
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STINKY Stinky is a small, brown, hairy thing. He lives in the wood at the foot of the tree in Moominvalley. Stinky is greedy and thinks mainly in his own interests, keeping valuable objects and benefits greatly by making a mockery of others. He is still not thoroughly evil and not without human qualities. Stinky, of course, does not particularly like the water as he keeps falling in it. Stinky constantly causes problems, especially goods for his own use such as items that will help him rob a bank. Therefore, in Moominvalley residents avoid him and he has virtually no friends. The Moomins however, have tried to be tolerant towards Stinky. While Stinky is really nasty, he is not bad. To the Inspector, Stinky is the only a “normal� criminal, but without him the police would be unemployed.
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THE GROKE The Groke appears as a ghostlike hill-shaped body with two cold staring eyes and a wide row of white shiny teeth. She stands, the ground below her freezes and plants and grass die. She leaves a trace of ice and snow when she walks the ground. Anything she touches will freeze and on one instance she froze a camp fire by sitting down on it. She seeks friendship and warmth, but she is declined by everyone and everything, leaving her in her cold cavern on top of the Lonely Mountains. The Groke is both a live representation of loneliness and a psychological depiction of very lonely people who have a hard time accepting and expressing love in the right way, making them seem cold and scary to others, which, in turn, only leads to more loneliness.
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HATTIFATTENERS The Hattifatteners are tall, thin, ghost-like creatures, resembling long white socks. They have round neckless heads with two round eyes. Below their heads on either side are five finger-like projections. They are silent and serious, having neither the ability to talk nor to hear, but in contrast, their sense of feeling is extremely accurate, and they can sense even the most minor tremblings of the ground. They communicate seemingly by telepathy, and their eyes change colour with the sky. They also seem to be melancholic characters. Hattifatteners travel the sea in small boats, meeting every year on a lonely island. Their main interest is in the weather and they collectively own a barometer. They seem to have an interest in lightning storms, and such conditions electrify them making them give out a pale glow, and making them dangerous to touch. The Hattifatteners wish to reach the horizon so they forever sail towards it in hope of reaching it.
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“ He didn’t remember,he didn’t worry, he just was ” Tove Jansson