Filming the unusual story of Moomin creator Tove Jansson in Helsinki
We speak to director Zaida Bergroth about a film that shows viewers a new side of Finland’s Tove Jansson, the much-loved writer and artist who created the world-famous Moomin stories.
How Finland’s Moomins moved from beloved books to coveted mugs
The first Moomin book, in 1945, introduced a cast of characters that gained international fame. We talk to the designer behind one of the most unusual Moomin success stories: the mugs that you can find in almost every Finnish household. They’re so popular that someone even wrote a master’s thesis about them.
New audiences continue to find Finland’s number one painter, Helene Schjerfbeck
Early in 2020, record-breaking attendance at Helsinki’s Ateneum Art Museum and the release of a feature film signalled that artist Helene Schjerfbeck is getting much-deserved attention from audiences of all ages. We talk with actor Laura Birn and curator Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff.
Tom of Finland and IDAHOTB both continue to contribute to pride and acceptance
May 8 is the birthday of Tom of Finland (1920–91), often called Finland’s most famous artist globally. Shortly after that anniversary, on May 17, the annual International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) takes place.
Finnish museums step up their online game to meet demand
Unable to invite visitors onto their premises, Finnish museums are taking to their websites and social media to meet the demand for beauty, inspiration and ideas, bringing audiences everything from video art to VR guided tours. Here are some of our favourites.
In Helsinki, Amos Rex showcases the new generation of artists
The triennial Generation 2020 exhibition offers an overview of 15-to-23-year-old artists in Finland. They use a range of media to comment on today’s world.
