Moominvalley, Tampere

In Moominvalley you see original illustrations by Tove Jansson ("the mother" of Moomins, author and artist, 1914-2001), Moomin books, 40 miniatures and 3-dimensional tableaux - and the 5-storey miniature (2.5 meters high) Moomin house!!!!

Remember also to visit the beautiful Moomin shop in the museum.

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The Moomin Museum is possibly one of the better known things about Tampere. It is a single floor museum housed in the basement of the Tampere Library and Arts Centre. It’s made up of two large rooms, with various cartoons lining the walls, odds and ends about the author, Tove Jansson (I learned for example that the creator of the Moomins was a woman and not a man as I’d always thought… whoops). Those weird scenes where Moomin Valley got flooded and good old Mama Moomin would be straight back in that kitchen, are re-created really quite well in mini-scaled dioramas around the museum. Interesting, in a slightly creepy way, for adults and kids alike and a must see if you’re in Tampere. Entry 4 euro adults, 1 euro children and students.

Don't hope for too much from the gift shop by the way, as there is nothing in it that you couldn't get a couple of euro cheaper in pretty any branch of the Finnish department store, Stockmann's.

If you are travelling with a kid (even if it just the kid inside you), Moominvalley is the place for you. Moominvalley is a museum that outlines the history of the famous (in Finland, at least) cartoon characters created by author Tove Jansson. There are original drawings by Mrs. Jansson as well as multimedia presentations, including an interview with the author herself. But the highlight is without a doubt the models depicting scenes from Moomintroll's adventures, among them a beautiful (and detailed) miniature Moomin house. Unfortunately (but understandably), no photos are allowed inside the museum.

And yes, naturally, there is a gift shop! (We bought an English version of "Moominland Winter", which we understood was one of the most popular/defining books in the series. It was written for kids, but like Harry Potter's adventures, is intelligent enough be enjoyed by adults as well.)

Although I had never read any of the Moomin books as a child, I had seen various animated versions of their stories and recall seeing a comic strip. The name of Tove Jansson was more known to me having seen a number of magazine articles and exhibitions about her life and works.

So on a visit to Tampere, it was a surprise for me to find and then visit the Moominvalley exhibition. It was cold and snowy outside and I really wanted to get away from it all!

Once inside it all changes. The exhibition is excellent - many models and images to see and the staff are passionate about what they do and very friendly.

Please visit it if you can - a pleasant afternoon will be given to you.

The Moominvalley is a collection of Moomin books, illustrations and three-dimensional tableux. The main thing and the pearl of the collection is a five-storey Moomin house, of course miniature size.

There is also a shop where you can purchase Moomin gifts, souvenirs, wooden handicrafts etc. You can find books written by Tove Jansson and translated in English Swedish, German, French, Italian and Japanese.

Tove Jansson's original illustrations, Moomin house, three-dimensional tableaux with scenes from Moomin books, slide show, multi-visual show. Multimedia shows The Story House and The Original Moominvalley. Part of the permanent exhibition changes each year. Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. June-August also open on Mondays 9am-5pm. Adults 4 euros children (4-17 years of age) and students FIM 1 euro. Groups (min. 10 people) 3 euros/person. Advance booking required for guided tours.

Really nice to visit with children (I've been here with a group of 6-year olds who loved it), but if you love Moomins, who cares about your age :)

Even though I didn't go here myself, because the moomins where unknown to me. I have learned that many people around the world know the Moomins, and are very fond of them. Especially when travelling with kids I think this is a must! I read one of the Moomin-books while travelling through Finland, and the characters in it have so much personality, it is great fun to read (and not just for kids).