Celebrating 80 Years of the Moomins: The Door is Always Open

Since their debut, the Moomin books have inspired generations worldwide with their timeless messages of inclusivity, kindness, and belonging. Under the theme “The Door is Always Open”—a reference to the Moominhouse, which offers shelter, comfort, and security to all—Moomin 80 invites both new and returning fans to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin story, The Moomins and the Great Flood, originally published in 1945 by acclaimed Finnish artist, illustrator, and writer Tove Jansson.

A Year of Special Events and Initiatives

To mark this milestone, a range of activities and initiatives will take place throughout the year, including:

  • Charitable Fundraisers
  • Fan Competitions
  • New Book Releases
  • A Feature Film
  • Exclusive Product Launches
  • Public Art Commissions

Moomin x Refugee Week: Public Art Commissions

In the UK, Moomin Characters is partnering with Counterpoints Arts and Refugee Week to commission four artists to create public artworks inspired by The Moomins and the Great Flood. These artworks will reflect themes of refuge, resilience, and community.

The four public art commissions will be co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and partner venues across the UK:

  • Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle Gateshead: Henna Asikainen, with Roua Horanieh
  • Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture: Basel Zaraa
  • Gloucester Guildhall: Dana Olărescu
  • Southbank Centre, London: Woodland Tribe, with Nabil Amini

These artworks will be unveiled in May and June 2025 and will be accompanied by community programming, Refugee Week resources, and interactive activations.

Why Refugee Week?

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Coordinated by Counterpoints Arts, Refugee Week champions inclusivity and cultural exchange through creative expression.

James Zambra, Creative Director, Moomin Characters:

“The shelter, comfort, and security that the Moominhouse provides are universal needs, as relevant today as they were 80 years ago when Tove Jansson penned the first Moomin story. We couldn’t think of a better partner to celebrate the importance of a warm welcome and a sense of belonging than Refugee Week.”

Almir Koldzic, Director, Counterpoints Arts:

“We are thrilled to be working with Moomin Characters to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin book as part of Refugee Week 2025. Our vision for refugees and asylum seekers to live safely in inclusive communities aligns perfectly with Tove Jansson’s life and work. This collaboration will help us reach new audiences and inspire conversations about belonging and solidarity.”

Explore This Year’s Refugee Week Resources

Special Edition Book for Charity

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Moomin Characters, publisher Sort Of Books, and retailer Waterstones are launching a collaboration to support the British Red Cross. Sort Of Books will publish a special anniversary edition of The Moomins and the Great Flood featuring:

  • A full-colour cut-out Moominhouse designed by Tove Jansson in the 1950s
  • Jansson’s original notes on the Moomins
  • A foreword by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate

Price: £9.99 | Donation: £7.50 from each copy sold by Waterstones will go to the British Red Cross to support refugees and vulnerable communities worldwide. Buy your copy here.

Stay Connected

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