This summer, Brooklynites can step into a lush, fantastical world without leaving the borough as the Brooklyn Public Library welcomes “Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door is Always Open,” the first-ever U.S. exhibit dedicated to the author and her treasured characters.
Jansson, a beloved Finnish writer and artist, is best known for creating the Moomins: a family of rotund trolls who live in the lush Moominvalley. The rotund little creatures adventured through nine novels, four picture books, and a long-running comic strip.
“Tove Jansson and the Moomins,” set to open on June 28 at BPL’s Central Branch, will feature “immersive installations” that allow visitors to wander through Moominvalley and explore Jansson’s life and works through archival materials, books, and more.
In the Grand Lobby, visitors will be able to trace the history of the Moomins, starting with the first book, “The Moomins and the Great Flood,” published in 1945, and continuing through the decades with rarely-seen artifacts from theatrical and TV adaptations of the stories.
“Brooklyn Public Library’s values — curiosity, inclusion, storytelling, and free access to ideas — align beautifully with Tove’s,” said Thomas Zambra, a relative of Tove and Head of Business development at Moomin Characters Ltd. “Their commitment to public programming and literacy, especially during the summer and Pride Month, make this a timely and powerful collaboration.”
Though the Moomin books are beloved in part for their beautiful illustrations and whimsy, they often dealt with serious issues — in the first two books, Moominvalley faces natural disasters that threaten to separate the family — but in the end, all is well, and the Moomins end up happy and safe at home with each other and their friends.
“Jansson’s work aligns closely with our mission to foster understanding, curiosity and a sense of belonging through storytelling,” said Linda E. Johnson, BPL’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Rooted in themes of openness, exploration, and inclusion, her work reflects the Library’s commitment to providing free and welcoming access to ideas, culture and community.”
The exhibit will also touch on lesser-known parts of Jansson’s life and work. Outside of Moominvalley, she spent years as a political satirist and was a prolific writer and artist; and while her original paintings won’t be on display, Zambra said the exhibit will show how her writing and visual styles changed through her life.
He said he wanted the exhibit to appeal to the broadest possible audience — whether they’re longtime Jansson fans or newcomers.
“Longtime fans may recognize some of her early Garm (political magazine) illustrations, or examples of Moomin merchandise through the years, such as the Moomin Arabia mugs,” he said. “We also want the exhibition to introduce visitors to other aspects of Tove’s life outside of the Moomin Characters, such as her work as a painter and her seaside summers in the Finnish archipelago.”
Among Zambra’s favorite items included in the exhibit, he said, are the illustrations Jansson created for other books, like “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “The Hobbit.”
“Tove Jansson and the Moomins” will coincide both with the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin story and with Pride month, in celebration of Jansson’s queerness. The writer met and fell in love with her lifelong partner, artist Tuulikki Pietilä, in 1956, when same-sex relationships were still illegal in Finland.
Jansson and Pietilä lived in adjacent apartments in Helsinki, and found solace together in a small coastal summer house. They were together for 45 years, until Jansson’s death in 2001.
Though their relationship was largely secret, Pietilä inspired a Moomin character, and gender roles in Moominvalley are often flexible and unconventional.
“We never tire of seeing how people of all ages can fall more in love with the Moomin stories the better they know them,” Zambra said. “We’ve worked closely with the Brooklyn Public Library to make this an exhibition that will appeal to all ages, too. We are thrilled to be able to introduce more audiences in the U.S. to her breadth of work and for them to find meaning in her messages of belonging, courage, curiosity, and love.”
To complement the exhibit, BPL’s youth wing will host film screenings of the Moomin movies along with Jansson-centered storytimes and activities; plus programming for adults like guided tours, and panel discussions.
“Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door is Always Open,” will be on view at BPL’s Central Branch at 10 Grand Army Plaza from June 28-Sept. 30. Admission is free, and more details about programs and activities will be announced through the summer.
