Paradise Day

Explore a museum full of engaging discussions, performances, music, and workshops, inspired by the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition. Activities will be available for families, friend groups, and solo adventurers. Scroll down for more information and the detailed programme. Also check the other Paradise Day on the 1^st of March 2025.

All activities are included in the museum admission price. 

Moomin Animations

HAM Auditorium, at 12–13.30, languages: Finnish, Swedish and English

Two animated short films will be shown for children and friends of the Moomins: The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My and Who Will Comfort Toffle? Sit on a cushion or chair in the HAM Hall and get ready to be enchanted as the beloved Moomin stories come to life. The animations will be shown in Finnish at 12–12.30, in Swedish at 12.30–13 and in English at 13–13.30. There are seats for up to 80 people, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis when each screening begins. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My

Moomintroll’s colourful adventure across Moominvalley is full of surprises as he meets Mymble, who has lost her sister, Little My. The animated story is based on Tove Jansson’s picture book, published in 1952, and the Swedish narration is provided by Jansson herself.

Age rating: For all ages

Duration: 12:15 min

Narrators: Anne Nilsen (Finnish), Tove Jansson (Swedish), Sophia Jansson (English)

Production: Pikkukala, Moomin Characters

Who Will Comfort Toffle?

The lonely Toffle learns to overcome his fears when he needs to rescue Miffle from the Groke. This timeless story about courage and friendship is based on Tove Jansson’s picture book, published in 1960, and the Swedish narration is provided by Jansson herself.

Age rating: 7

Duration: 16:44 min

Narrators: Anne Nilsen (Finnish), Tove Jansson (Swedish), Sophia Jansson (English)

Production: Pikkukala, Moomin Characters

Skidit Presents: Hattifattener Disco

HAM Auditorium, at 14–16, book your spot in advance!

Humming and buzzing with the Hattifatteners! Transform into something wonderfully electric with Timo Kaukolampi’s electronic DJ set and dancing instructor Emmi. Get ready to stomp on a desert island and enjoy a happy rain dance under the thunderous sky. Let’s buzz and be alive with all our might! 

The venue has a limited capacity for partygoers, so be sure to book your spot in advance. You can reserve a spot for the first or second hour. Please present your reservation confirmation at the door. Children party in the company of adults, with a maximum of four children per adult. Let’s baila!

14–15 o’clock (fully booked!)

15–16 o’clock (fully booked!)

Film Screenings: Tove and Haru, the Island of the Solitary

Tove: HAM Auditorium, at 16.50–18.30, subtitles in Finnish

Haru, the Island of the Solitary: HAM Art Workshop, at 16–16.44 (narration in Finnish) and at 17–17.44 (narration in Swedish)

Immerse yourself in the life of Tove through films.

In HAM Auditorium you can sit on a chair or relax in a beanbag. There are seats for up to 80 people, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis when the screening begins. At HAM Art Workshop, there are seats for up to 50 people, and they will also be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please arrive on time. The doors will be closed once the films begin.

Tove

Tove is a captivating drama about the creative energy of a world-famous artist and her search for identity and freedom.

Age rating: 12

Duration: 100 min

Starring: Alma Pöysti, Krista Kosonen, Shanti Roney. Director: Zaida Bergroth. Helsinki-filmi.

Haru, the Island of the Solitary

A documentary about author Tove Jansson and graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä’s summers spent on the island of Haru in the Guld of Finland in 1970–1991.

Age rating: For all ages

Duration: 44 min

Narrator: Birgitta Ulfsson. Director: Kanerva Cederström and Riikka Tanner. Lumifilm Oy.

Paradise Art Workshop: Plants of Paradise

HAM Art Workshop, at 12–15

Join us in drawing imaginary plants with liquid ink! You can arrive at the time that suits you best. Each participant has a 30-minute workshop slot to allow as many participants as possible to join. No previous experience is required. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Guides are present: Chat about Art!

Upper level of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, at 12–13.45

Lower level of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, at 12–14 and 16–18

Stop for a moment to discuss artworks and the exhibition’s themes. Our three guides will be present at the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition. You can recognise our guides by their jackets and badges on their chests.

Discussion: Tove and Monumental Art

Upper level of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, at 14–15, language: Finnish

What was the role of public art in Tove Jansson’s life? What was it like to create monumental paintings in Jansson’s time?

Joining the conversation are PhD Tuula Karjalainen and PhD Johanna Ruohonen. Karjalainen is a Helsinki-based art historian, curator, and non-fiction writer. Karjalainen’s works include Tove Jansson: Work and Love (2013, translated by David McDuff). She has previously worked as the director of the Helsinki Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma.

Ruohonen is a Helsinki-based art historian and in her work she has focused on Finnish art politics and post-war public painting. Ruohonen’s article, Tove Jansson’s Public Paintings (2024, translated by Silja Kudel), is part of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition’s publication. She is the director of the Kirpilä Art Collection and senior advisor at the Finnish Cultural Foundation. 

The discussion will be led by the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition’s curator Heli Harni. Folding chairs will be available for the audience. The discussion will be in Finnish.

Young Dancers & Sara Grotenfelt: Two-Day Monument 

Upper level of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, at 17.30–18

Two-Day Monument is a performance for seven young dancers. It is intuitively created based on Tove Jansson’s paintings, drawing on their atmospheres, figures, and formations. The performance creates a space for feeling and contemplation in the exhibition, allowing oddity and sensitivity to be present.  

Young Dancers is a joint performing group of the Tanssivintti and Zodiak – Center for New Dance. 

Choreography: Sara Grotenfelt & the performers 

Performers: Alma Nordberg, Noomi Sinivirta, Alissa Lindholm, Sofia Dascalu, Emmi Kanerva, Rosemary Lukas, Alisa Nummiaro 

The performance will take place within the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, surrounded by the artworks and the audience.

Drawing and Writing Stations: Love Letters and Comics

Upper and lower level of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, at 12–18.30

On the lower level of the Tove Jansson – Paradise exhibition, you can write a love letter for an important person in your life. Stationery will be provided in an art cart. Accompanied by charming illustrations within the text, an enlarged version of Tove’s letter to Vivica is featured in the exhibition space.

On the upper level of the exhibition, you can create your own comic. Paper, pencils, clipboards, and instructions will be available in the art cart.

You can stop by at the time that suits you best. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Finnkino Café Bar

On the second floor of Tennis Palace, at 12–21

Pop over for coffee and pastries or toast with a glass of sparkling wine while listening to music inspired by Tove Jansson. Sweet and savoury treats will be available in the cosy Finnkino café bar.