The Moomins, the rounded white characters created by Finnish artist Tove Jansson, open an 80th-anniversary exhibition Nov. 14, 2025, at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park, offering fans a chance to explore the stories, settings, and emotions that have connected generations worldwide.
When people think of Moomin, they often picture the plump white shape, large nose, and gentle eyes. Created by Finnish artist Tove Jansson, the Moomins have quietly accompanied fans for eight decades. Since the first work, Moomin and the Great Flood, appeared in 1945, the Moomins have become more than fairy tale characters. They carry cross generational emotional bonds and cultural memory.
Moomin Fun Fact 1:
Not a hippo, a Nordic troll creature
Although the Moomins look round and cuddly, they are not hippos, as many people mistakenly believe. The English name Moomintroll reveals the origin of the character, with “troll” referring to creatures from Nordic folklore. Those creatures were once depicted as coarse, yet under Tove Jansson’s pen they became gentle, friendly white beings. Early illustrations of Moomin looked quite different from the familiar image. Initially, he was slimmer, with simpler lines and darker tones, before evolving into the rounded, beloved figure seen today.
Moomin Fun Fact 2:
The Moomin “nationality” debate
Although the Moomins are a Finnish literary treasure, they have a dual cultural identity. In Finland, the Moomins are a source of national pride and are regarded as cultural ambassadors. For many people in Asia, however, the characters are closely associated with Japan. That connection stems from Moomin television adaptations released in Japan in 1969 and 1972, particularly the 1972 series, which was hugely popular and brought the Moomins to audiences across Asia. Today, Japan hosts several Moomin theme parks and shops, including Moomin Valley Park, which has become an important hub for Moomin culture.
Moomin Fun Fact 3:
“Moomin Day” on the calendar
Fans around the world mark Aug. 9 as Moomin Day. This is not the Moomins’ birthday, since the stories do not specify a birth date for the characters. The date honors Tove Jansson’s birthday. Since Jansson’s death in 2001, the day has been a time for fans to remember the beloved author, visit Moomin cafes, and see special exhibitions commemorating the warm fairy tales she created.
Moomin Fun Fact 4:
“Moomin meat” a piece of Nordic dark humor
In Finland, a traditional cheese called leipajuusto, often translated as bread cheese, is jokingly nicknamed “Moomin meat” muuminliha. The nickname comes from a Finnish parody video that claimed the cheese’s real ingredient was Moomins. That bit of Nordic dark humor has become a widely shared anecdote within the Moomin fan community.
Moomin Fun Fact 5:
The first book, Moomin and the Great Flood
Tove Jansson created her first Moomin story, Moomin and the Great Flood, in 1945. From that point, the fantasy creatures who live in Moominvalley have embodied themes of honest exploration, a love of nature, friendship, and courage. The Moomin comics were developed by Jansson in collaboration with her brother Lars, which helped extend the Moomin family stories. The inspiration for the world came from Jansson’s childhood memories of the Swedish archipelago and small islands in the Gulf of Finland, with coastal and forest scenes, and summer light, all shaping the magical world of Moominvalley and creating a Nordic literary phenomenon that resonates across generations.
Jansson went on to publish eight novels and four picture books in the Moomin series. The works have now been translated into more than 60 languages and distributed worldwide.
Returning to Moomin Chapter One
This November, Hong Kong will host the Moomin 80th Anniversary Exhibition, titled Moomin 80th Anniversary Exhibition: Entering Moomin Chapter One. The exhibition recreates 10 themed areas from Moomin and the Great Flood and seven classic scenes, including the Dark Wood, the Old Gentleman’s candy house, and the Groke’s secret grove. The Dark Wood area uses a black and white palette to create a two dimensional space, where visitors use special flower flashlights to find hidden Little My figures. The Storm Adventure area uses fog and bubble effects to recreate the tense moments when the Moomin family faces the great flood.
One highlight is a Moomin house created by Finnish studio Null Division Oy, allowing visitors to peek into the Moomin family’s warm daily life. The exhibition also includes a history gallery that traces the Moomins’ evolution from the 1940s to the present, along with a book wall featuring original novels and picture books.
Step into the Moomin fairy tale world to rediscover the simple warmth that has comforted readers for 80 years. Whether you want to relive childhood memories or meet the Nordic characters for the first time, the Moomin 80th Anniversary Exhibition promises a memorable emotional journey.
Moomin 80th Anniversary Exhibition: Entering Moomin Chapter One
Date: Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., last queue at 8:30 p.m.
Location: Kai Tak Sports Park, Kai Tak Retail Arcade, levels 2 and 4, Hong Kong (啟德體育園, 啟德零售館 2 樓和 4 樓)
