"We hope that the people of Tampere will make this special year their own, as Tove Jansson gifted the city a Moomin collection on the premise that it was to be used to boost Tampere's charm. We want to show that the people of Tampere know how to have a great time and truly embrace the spirit of the Moomins by welcoming everyone," explains Niina Niiniluoto, project manager for Moomin 80 for the City of Tampere.
The Moomin 80 anniversary year will start with Midwinter Magic. This free-of-charge event for the whole family will take place at Tampere Hall (Yliopistonkatu 55) on Sunday 5 January 10:00–13:00. During the event, you will be able to watch Yle's animated Moominvalley marathon in the Small Auditorium at Tampere Hall, read Moomin stories to Finnish Kennel Club’s reading dogs, and visit the Moomin Museum free of charge all day.
Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden will be coming to meet the audience during Midwinter Magic at 10:30 and 12:00. In the art workshop, organised by the Moomin Museum, Children's Cultural Centre Rulla and Art Arc, you can take part in the anniversary year's My Moominhouse competition. Tampere Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble will be performing Erna Tauro's Autumn Song at 11.15 and 11.45 in the main lobby.
The Midwinter Magic event is being organised by the City of Tampere. The Moomin Museum, Tampere Hall, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Yle, Finnish Kennel Club’s Reading Dogs and Gutsy Animations. An event for creative professionals, Moominvalley – from concept to top production, will be organised in connection with the main event by Film Tampere in English.
Details of the Moomin 80 anniversary programme will be released throughout the year. From 5 January, the Moomin tram will offer visitors an easy way to access multiple different events.
On 22–23 February, the event Adventure in the Hometown of the Moomin Museum will be taking place in Tampere. Over the course of the weekend, winter events will be taking place not only at the Moomin Museum, but also at cultural locations across the city.
On 6 March, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing a special commission at a concert for the whole family: Celebrating 80 years of Moomins, in which the story and illustrations of Tove Jansson's The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My are combined with new music by composer Minna Leinonen.
The City of Tampere has signed a three-year cooperation agreement with Moomin Characters Oy Ltd. The celebration of the Moomins' 80th anniversary will launch a partnership that highlights Tampere as the home city of the world's only Moomin Museum.
