Helsinki Moomin Fan Tour

We start from the heart of Helsinki on the Senaatintori at the monument to Tsar Alexander II close to the cathedral. 1. Katajanokka, the cradle of the Finnish Art Nouveau, where Tove Jansson was born and grew up, her first memories influencing her art. 2. The harbour, walk through the open market and talk about traditional Finnish foods and crafts and their role in the Moomin world. 3. The Esplanade, young Tove represented in bronze as a mermaid by her father Viktor Jansson. A brief detour to the Moomin Arabia shop to check it out. 4. The Swedish theatre where Finlandia of Jean Sibelius was first performed in 1899 and the Moomins first appeared on stage in 1949. 5. Korkeavuorenkatu, all the way up to Tove Jansson's school, now the Architecture and Design Museum. Right behind it was her postwar home of 50 years where she lived close to her partner Tuulikki Pietilä. They were the first gay couple to be invited to the Finnish president’s yearly Independence Day ball. 6. Tour finishes in the museum, those who are interested proceed to the Escape to Moominvalley exhibition (price around €23, €6 for under 30), others can browse the bookshop and have a reviving coffee.