The New Moomins Film Is Out, Prepare To Relive Your Childhood

You may have read a few books, seen the 90s TV series or just always known about them but whatever your affinity with the Moomins, it should be welcome news that they are hitting the big screen in a hand-drawn animated feature film, opening in cinemas across the UK on 22 May.

The creator was a woman called Tove Jasson who was born in Helsinki in 1914. Between 1945 and 1971 she wrote nine illustrated chapter books and from 1954 London’s The Evening News (the world’s largest newspaper at the time) published the Moomin comic strip reaching 20 million readers daily in over 40 countries. Safe to say the hippo-like creatures have been around a while and just as well, as they have some very important life lessons for us all.

The 80 minute frolic starts in Moominvalley until the family decide that a trip to the Riviera is called for, in order to experience high society first hand and recover from their high-sea shenanigans. A name change to ‘De Moomin’ secures them access to the best hotel in town, where Snorkmaiden (a different species to Moomins - they change colour according to their mood) finds herself instantly enchanted by the power of celebrity and Moominpappa is seduced by the lure of wealth and title (cue a very painful hangover). However, the rest of the family seem less impressed by this superficial world. An exasperated Moominmamma retreats to the calm of their trusty old boat, to wait for her family to come to their senses and to remember their motto: “Live in peace, plant potatoes and dream.”

There is already a huge demand for Tove’s illustrations and watching this beautiful film bounce off the screen, there are so many quirky tableaus that would look just perfect framed on a wall. The time flies by and even the most cynical amongst you will float out of the cinema with a more positive view of life.

Those of you wanting to make a pilgrimage to the land of Moominvalley can do so. In 1993 the theme park Moominworld opened its doors in Naantali, an extraordinarily stunning coastal city in the south-west of Finland. The island is an extremely popular tourist destination especially with the Japanese, whose love of Moomins is in close competition with Hello Kitty and in 2014 three couples were actually married on the island!

Visitors are highly recommended to stay at nearby Naantali Spa with prices starting from 69Euros per person on B&B basis based on 2 sharing. If you were looking to really push the boat out, you could opt for their Moominworld package (beware, book early for this!) or indulge in one of the hundreds of spa treatments.

With affordable flights from the UK to super-cool Helsinki in under three hours, this could be the perfect quirky Scandi minibreak you’ve been looking for. Not forgetting of course that in June and July the sun does not set. ‘The Midnight Sun’ shines warmly and brightly for 24 hours a day and with the light brings even more adventure time, that the Moomins would surely approve of.

Moominworld Package:

From 222Euros nightly per room (no price applies for children under 2 – older children welcome at additional cost)

Complimentary use of sauna and pool

2 day tickets to Moominworld (open June-August)

2-Night Spa Traditions Package:

258Euros per person for 2 nights in Standard Room

Breakfast both mornings, One buffet lunch and one buffet dinner

Unlimited use of sauna and pool

One traditional spa treatment: Classical massage 45 mins/ Natural clay treatment/ Peat treatment/ Spa pedicure

MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA opens in cinemas across the UK on 22 May, Certificate: U. View the trailer here