Light Gallery 2025: First Moomin story as light art

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Tove Jansson’s first Moomin story, The Moomins and the Great Flood. A total of 15 light artworks based on Jansson’s original 1945 illustrations have been projected onto walls in western downtown Tampere. The light art installation, projected onto the facades of central Tampere buildings, is titled The Moomins’ Journey Home. 

The Moomins and the Great Flood tells the story of Moominmamma and Moomintroll on their journey to find Moominpappa. Along the way, they are joined by Sniff and Tulippa, and encounter an array of characters – snakes, angler fish, marabou storks, and other magical creatures. The story takes the reader from lush jungle to sugary fairytale landscapes, across stormy seas and into the midst of a flood. At last, the travelers find their way to Moominvalley – home to a round, blue house resembling a tiled stove. The Moominhouse symbolizes safety and togetherness, forming the heart of Jansson’s first Moomin tale.

With few exceptions, the original illustrations belong to the collection of the Tampere Art Museum. Some can be seen in the permanent exhibition of the Moomin Museum as well as in the temporary exhibition Welcome to the Moominhouse!

Light Gallery is a co-production of Tampere Art Museum and the Tampere Festival of Light and has been part of the city’s cultural offerings since 2015.