by Syrene Forsman 2014 would have been Moomin creator Tove Jansson’s 100th birthday. Her world famous Moomin family stories may lead one to overlook her other artistic and literary works. She wrote novels for adults as well, illustrated books by Tolkien and Lewis Carroll, illustrated picture books, and, as young as 15, had her cartoons published in the anti-fascist humor magazine Garm. Tove Jansson is one of Finland’s most famous authors and artists. She has received innumerable awards, the earliest, the Hans Christian Anderson Gold Medal, in 1966. Tove Jansson was born on the eve of the war for independence from Russia in Helsingfors to two Swedish-speaking Finnish artists, father Viktor Jansson, a sculptor, and illustrator mother, Signe Hammarsten, nicknamed Ham. She had two brothers. Tove remained close to her family throughout her life, although her father or “Faffan” held political opinions and artistic goals diametrically opposed to her own. From 1930 to 1938, Jansson studied art in Stockholm, and Helsinki, then Paris. Relations in the household could be strained, and she moved to her own studio to work around 1940. But she was often home for dinner. The family summers on an island in the Pellinge archipelago and her later summer place on Klovharun were her best beloved homes. Tove Jansson wrote 9 Moomin books between 1945 and 1970, some in collaboration with her life partner, graphic artist and professor Tuulikki Pietilä, who was the model for the character, Too-Ticki. One of my favorite books by Jansson is Sommarboken, The Summer Book about a young girl sent to live with a grandmother on a quiet island far from her urban home. To celebrate the centenary of Jansson’s birth, a number of special events should be mentioned. A new biography by Tuula Karjalainen, an exhibit in Japan, and an exhibit at the Ateneum Helsinki are planned. Additional exhibits, seminars, and publications, plus new editions of her work will appear. During my family’s most recent trips to Finland (2007 and 2011) we visited the Moomin Museum in Tampere, and then Moominworld in Nådendal/Naantali outside of Åbo/Turku. The Museum was located on the ground floor of the city’s main Metso Library for 25 years. The incredible five-story model of the Moominhouse was the centerpiece of the largest gallery, enchanting all ages with its detail and colorful décor. Tove Jansson, Tuulikki “Tooti” Pietilä, and Pentti Eistola built the complicated structure based on Tove’s many books set in Moomin Valley. The walls around the gallery and a second gallery were hung with Jansson’s remarkable graphic works, including original sketches and watercolor illustrations for her 15 books, which have been translated into over 40 languages. She intended the display for adults rather than children, but our two granddaughters were thoroughly involved by each art piece. The entire exhibit closed in November 2013 for the renovation of the building. Some of the works will make up a small exhibit in the Tampere Art Museum. Another site proposed to house the collection, near the amusement park of Särkänniemi [dolphin shows and Angry Birds], has sparked controversy among her public, her executor maintaining she would never have donated her collection if she had known about these plans. Moominworld is an open air park which my 10-year old granddaughter enjoyed immensely. It was opened 1993 and based on the Japanese animated film, loosely derived from Jansson’s books. A tour through the replica of Moomin House absolutely enchanted her. The location on a point in the Nådendal Channel, enhances the illusion of a separate world around which you can wander a full day. We reached it via a bus from Åbo, and walked through Old Town to reach the boardwalk out to the peninsula. However, the heavy handed commercialism (Shop on site) was NOT part of Jansson’s dream.