Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open

Brooklyn Public Library invites visitors of all ages to the first-ever U.S. exhibition dedicated to Tove Jansson, the beloved Finnish artist, writer and creator of the Moomins. 

Opening June 28 at Central Library, Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open celebrates the enduring magic of Moominvalley and its visionary creator. This free exhibition illuminates Jansson’s universe through immersive installations, archival materials and multilingual editions of her books. Begin your visit in Central's Grand Lobby to discover the first Moomins story, then trace the characters' extraordinary global reach through original publications from the 1940s onward, seen alongside rare artifacts from early theatrical productions, television adaptations and musical interpretations that continue to bring Moominvalley to life.

The exhibition also highlights Jansson's early career in political satire, her unmissable novels for adults, her seaside summers in the Finnish archipelago, and her identity as a queer woman in postwar Europe. Personal letters between Jansson and her friend Eva Konikoff, a New York-based photographer, as well as the American edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll featuring Jansson’s illustrations, also connect the artist’s story to the U.S. and underscore her legacy as a truly international figure. 

Joining a global celebration of the Moomins’ 80th anniversary, Tove Jansson and the Moomins welcomes newcomers and longtime fans alike. Central Library's Youth Wing will offer film screenings of charming Moomins animations, as well as interactive activities that encourage young visitors to read, learn, and play through the lens of Jansson’s good-natured characters.

In addition to family-focused offerings, the exhibition will feature a robust lineup of adult programming that explores Jansson’s literary, artistic and cultural legacy. Details about public programs, workshops, guided tours, panel discussions and family events will be announced throughout the summer.
 

About Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson’s books and comics about the adventurous Moomintrolls have charmed millions of readers for several generations and continue to attract new audiences across the globe. Today, Jansson is most known for her Moomin books, which have been translated into more than 60 languages, sparking numerous new adaptations for games, television, theatre, and even opera and ballet. With her multifaceted life’s work, Jansson (1914–2001) became one of Finland’s key visual artists during the postwar golden age of modernism.

Jansson’s career spanned almost seven decades and she expanded and transformed her expression tirelessly up to the last years of her life. Her life’s work is unique: books for both children and adults, paintings, illustrations, comics and caricatures as well as applied art and commercial cooperations. She is remembered as one of the most loved authors and artists in the Nordics. 

Jansson studied at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, and L'École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1966, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her body of work. Jansson had a studio in Helsinki but also spent time at her home on a small island called Klovharu.

About Moomin Characters

Moomin Characters Oy Ltd is the official copyright holder of all the Moomin characters. All characters from Moominvalley are trademark registered worldwide. The company was founded in the 1950’s by Tove Jansson (1914–2001) and her brother Lars Jansson to manage the copyright of the Moomins and is still run by family members. Rights and Brands is the worldwide licensing agent of the company.

About Tampere, Finland

In 1986, Tove Jansson donated over 2,000 original Moomin artworks to the city of Tampere. Today, the highlights of this unique collection are presented at the Moomin Museum—making Tampere the proud home of the world’s only Moomin Museum.