Moomin Characters Plans to Celebrate 80th Anniversary in 2025

Moomin Characters, the parent company of acclaimed Finnish artist, illustrator and writer, Tove Jansson, has launched its 80th-anniversary celebrations for the Moomins. Since their debut in 1945, the Moomin stories have inspired generations worldwide with their messages of inclusiveness, kindness and belonging. 

For the anniversary celebrations, Moomin Characters revisits the first Moomin story written by Jansson, “The Moomins and the Great Flood.” At the center of this story is the Moominhouse, which offers shelter, comfort and security – universal needs that are as timeless today as they were 80 years ago – to all who seek it. Under the theme of “The Door is Always Open,” new and returning fans alike are invited to join in global Moomin80 celebrations throughout 2025, including charitable fundraisers, fan competitions, new book, film, product launches and much more. 

“As we celebrate 80 years of Moomin, it’s a privilege to carry forward Tove Jansson’s legacy of inclusivity, creativity and compassion,” say James Zambra, creative director, and Thomas Zambra, head of business development, Moomin Characters. “The theme, ‘The Door is Always Open,’ reflects the universal values at the heart of Moomin stories. We are excited to see how fans around the world will embrace these timeless messages through the exhibitions, Moominhouse competition and new collaborations we have planned throughout the year.”  

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The anniversary year is bookended by two major exhibitions in Jansson’s home country, each highlighting facets of her life and art that have previously gone unexplored. Filling two floors of the Helsinki Art Museum and opening Oct. 25, “Tove Jansson: Paradise” takes an in-depth look at the artist’s public paintings and the preparatory studies previously unseen by the public. Several other exhibitions focused on Moomins and Tove Jansson will open throughout 2025. The Moomin80 celebrations will culminate in an exhibition opening at the Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki next October, which will explore Jansson’s unique approaches to architecture and design and how she masterfully crafted both imaginary and physical spaces. 

Moomin Characters will also collaborate with renowned fashion retailers and designers to launch collections inspired by the Moomins’ timeless themes and bring Moomin gifts and lifestyle products to new audiences in the U.S. and worldwide throughout the anniversary year. Beginning in November, in time for the holiday season, Moomin Characters will launch a major new partnership with retailer, Urban Outfitters, bringing an exclusive collection of Moomin-branded products into all 195 stores in the U.S. Finnish furniture designer, Artek, founded in 1935, and Moomin Characters will celebrate their dual anniversary and launch a new Artek x Moomin collection. Available for purchase in March, the reimagined Aalto products feature early drawings by Tove Jansson. On Oct. 23, Japanese designer Tao Kurihara debuted a Tove Jansson-inspired runway collection, to be followed by a Moomin-inspired collection launching in 2025, for tao by Comme des Garçons. 

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The adaptation of Jansson’s novel, “The Summer Book,” by director, Charlie McDowell, will also hit screens in 2025 following premieres at BFI London Film Festival and AFI Film Fest.  

In line with the theme, “The Door is Always Open,” Moomin Characters launched a global competition on Oct 24, inviting fans of all ages to create their own version of the Moominhouse: a sanctuary for fun and celebration where everyone is welcome. Fans’ interpretations can be made in the medium of their choice and will be displayed in an online gallery. The competition will be judged by an expert panel of artists, experts and Moomin enthusiasts, who will award ten prizes for inspiring work. Winners of the “Create your own Moominhouse” competition will be announced on May 28, 2025. 

In a time when vast numbers of people worldwide are without access to adequate care and safety, Moomin Characters and The Red Cross have extended their long-standing partnership to gather funds for those in need across 15 countries. Part of the proceeds from selected products sold will be donated to The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to contribute to its humanitarian work. Moomin Characters has also pledged a total of €100,000 to select Red Cross Societies to further their efforts in crisis relief and community resilience-building. A global donation site is available to supporters worldwide who wish to contribute directly. 

For the anniversary year, Moomin Arabia has also partnered with The Red Cross in various countries to gather funds for those in need. Special collections created for the partnership will include a donation section to support the humanitarian work of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Moomin Arabia will also join the Red Cross in Japan at the Osaka Expo, an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world to address issues facing humankind globally. 

Jansson’s iconic stories, from the Moomin series to her most popular adult novels, will become more widely accessible throughout the 80th anniversary celebrations.