All of Her Things

This all started with a meme. About a year ago, Instagram started sending me memes with this adorable cartoon girl. She had red hair and a cute ponytail that pointed at the top of her head; she constantly looked irritated and mischievous. I absolutely loved it. My husband would get those memes too and would send them to me, basically linking her adorable yet bold personality to me. I was obsessed, but I had no clue what cartoon this little girl was from. Later, I learned that she was called Little My/Kleinen Mü, or, originally in Swedish, Lilla My, from the Moomin cartoon (Mumintrollen). As my husband and I kept sharing Moomin memes, I began seeing full clips of the show here and there. I can see why he kept sending me memes of her. Little My can be mean, but I see her as fierce, determined, realistic, honest, and loyal.

Then two weeks ago, my husband and I went to Munich for our anniversary dinner, where we also had a lovely stroll. We happened to walk by Literaturhaus München, and I was so excited to see that there was an exhibit, “Tove Jansson, Der Welt Der Mumins.” I had to go, so we decided we’d come back another weekend.

We returned the following Saturday for another stroll and to see the Moomin exhibit. Here, I learned about the award-winning author, painter, and cartoonist, Tove Jansson, who was born on August 9, 1914, in Helsinki, Finland. About 80 years ago, she created the Moomins, and between 1945 and 1993, she released a series of books, picture books, and comic strips. There have been multiple TV adaptations of the Moomins, from the 1959 West German marionette series “Die Muminfamilie,” a Swedish suit actor series, Japanese animation, Soviet stop-motion, Polish puppet animation, and of course, the 1990s animated series my husband grew up with, and so much more. There are even theme parks dedicated to the Moomins.

The exhibition was packed with people of all ages, from seniors over 60 to young parents introducing their children to the Moomins. It featured illustrations, paintings, and photography highlighting Jansson’s life and talent beyond the Moomins, with the highlight being an interactive play area. Kids and even adults could enjoy recreations of the Moomin house and boat, as well as storytime tents.

I had no idea how big this cartoon was and how meaningful it was to everyone, but I understand now:

Ihre Geschichten sind ein Plädoyer für Toleranz, Empathie und Abenteuerlust… Im Mumintaal regieren Geborgenheit, Freundschaft und Humor, aber auch eine Prise Anarchie und Rebellion, dazu jener satirische Esprit…

Her [Jansson] stories are a plea for tolerance, empathy, and a thirst for adventure… In Moominvalley, security, friendship, and humor reign, but also a touch of anarchy and rebellion, along with that satirical wit…

This heartfelt, sentimental cartoon has been celebrated for 80 years in various forms, but the love I’ve developed for these thoughtful, emotional, and unconventional characters started with an Instagram meme. I’m happy to officially call myself a fan.

The Literaturhaus München exhibition Tove Jansson DIE WELT DER MUMINS, runs until April 4!

EDIT: It looks like they JUST extended it to July, 31.

Always,

Dani