Finnish Art Day / Tove Jansson Day in Finland Date in the current year: August 9, 2025

Tove Marika Jansson was born in Helsinki on August 9, 1914, into a Swedish-speaking family. Her father, Viktor Jansson, was a sculptor, and her mother, Signe Hammarsten-Jansson, was a graphic artist who designed postage stamps, among other things. Tove was the eldest of three children. Growing up with artistic parents, all three Jansson siblings eventually became artists in their own right.

Tove wrote and illustrated her first picture book at age 14, though it wasn’t published until 1933. She also sold drawings to magazines as a teenager. After graduating from school, she studied at the University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm (Konstfack), the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki, and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In the 1930s, she wrote and illustrated short stories and articles for magazines and designed advertisements, postcards, and book covers.

However, it was the Moomin books that brought Jansson worldwide fame. The Moomins (Moomintrolls) are plump creatures that vaguely resemble hippos. Jansson drew the first Moomin after having an argument with her brother about Immanuel Kant, creating a deliberately ugly caricature of the philosopher. A friendlier version of this creature became the protagonist of her new children’s book.

The first novel featuring the Moomins, The Moomins and the Great Flood, was released in 1945. It was followed by more novels, short stories, picture books, and a comic strip featuring an extensive cast of characters drawn by Tove Jansson herself. Jansson’s Moomin books have been adapted into stage plays, animated series, feature films, and even operas. In 1966, Jansson received the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for her contributions to children’s literature.

In addition to her children’s books, Jansson wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Sculptor’s Daughter, five novels for adults, and several short story collections. Jansson also created illustrations and cartoons for the satirical magazine Garm, held solo exhibitions of her paintings, and created murals. She illustrated Swedish editions of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Hunting of the Snark.

Tove Jansson is widely regarded as one of the greatest Finnish authors and artists. Her novels and other written works have been translated into more than 50 languages, and her characters are beloved around the world. It is therefore fitting that her birthday was chosen as the day to recognize Finnish art and artists.

Tove Jansson Day / Finnish Art Day was first celebrated with a flag-raising ceremony in 2020. The day recognizes Jansson’s legacy, highlights Finland’s rich cultural heritage, and encourages appreciation of Finnish art and artists.