Tove Jansson’s Dreamworld
Most people who grew up in the 90s will remember the Moomins, a family of roundish white “trolls” who distinctly resemble hippos! Rosie Khdir ventures to the Belgian Comic Strip Centre to see their creators Dreamworld exhibition.
Tove Jansson played a major part in my childhood entertainment, as I sat endlessly watching the TV adaption of her comic books, The Moomins. These sweet looking creatures are probably held fondly in many peoples memories and are no the subject of an exhibition in Belgium.
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre is hosting a “voyage of discovery” through the Moomin stories, in the form of puppet films, illustrated novels, comic strips and picture books.
The story of the Moomin Dreamworld began when Tove Jansson, a Finnish cartoonist illustrated her first book The Little Troll and The Great Flood. In 1939 the Moomin family was born and they were later joined by characters such as the Snork Maiden, Sniff, Snufkin and Fillyjonk.
The books were first published in Swedish but the 13 books were later translated in 30 languages. By 1950 Jansson had inspired readers in 40 countries and published in 26 different languages.
Tove also created Moomin comic strips for the Finnish paper Ny Ti between the years 1947-48 and also for the London Evening Standard from 1954 to 1959. Since then it has been turned into a comic book, an animated TV series and even a movie.
The exhibition which began in March and ends on 29th August 2010 has been the result of collaboration with the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux and the Finnish Embassy in Belgium.
The display of Jansson’s fine works is charming and will, for many, provide you with a good dose of Moomin nostalgia. For more information visit the Belgian Comic Strip Centre website.
You can get to Belgium with P&O Ferries using the Hull – Zeebrugge route, or alternatively via Dover to Calais from where it is just a short drive along the E40 to the Belgian border. Prices start at just £30 for a car and up to nine people.
Image credit: koiart71
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