Discover the Magic of Moominvalley at the Museum of Gloucester this Spring
A new interactive adventure is opening from March 29, perfect for families.
Museum of Gloucester has teamed up with award-winning interactive theatre company Bakehouse Factory to create an immersive exhibition all about the Moomins called Moomin ABC. Opening this Spring, visitors will be able go on an adventure centred on the beloved children’s book characters, finding out all about these wonderful creatures and their creator Tove Jansson. Tickets are available from today.
From Saturday 29 March, people of all ages will be able to step into an enchanting world inspired by Moominvalley at the Museum of Gloucester, and explore the characters and stories through interactive exhibits and augmented reality.
The Moomins are the main characters of a series of comic strips and books by Tove Jansson, a Finnish-Swedish writer and illustrator, originally published in Finland in Swedish, and now familiar to millions around the world, having been translated into more than 60 languages.
Focusing on seven of the series’ iconic characters, the exhibition will allow families to immerse themselves in the adventures of Moominmamma, Sniff, Stinky, Little My, Hodgkins, Snufkin and Snorkmaiden. They will begin their experience by scanning their hand in a special machine which will assign a Moomin buddy as a companion for their journey. Each of the characters features a special augmented reality experience - all that’s needed is a smart phone and imagination – the museum will also provide devices to enable everyone to participate.
Inside the exhibition will be three ABC islands, each depicting a scene from one of the books that describes a feeling, designed to encourage visitors to engage with their own emotions. Families can also take a moment to pause in the forest to read a story in the tipi, hop and play among log stumps, or simply relax in a peaceful setting.
There’ll also be a ‘How Tall Wall’ where visitors can see how they measure up against a Moomin, a special version of hopscotch called Hopescotch, Moomin-inspired costumes to dress up in, a magnetic play wall where visitors can create their own Moomin scenes, and two craft areas to get creative in: perhaps write a letter to Fillyjonk to help her feel better, do some colouring, or pick up a Moomin activity sheet.
Within the exhibition space will be a section focusing on the life and work of Tove Jansson featuring a short documentary on the artist and her whimsical Moominhouse – a place where “the door is always open”.
Since their debut, the Moomin books have inspired generations worldwide with their messages of inclusiveness, kindness, and belonging. Tove Jansson’s first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood, is 80 years old this year, and Gloucester is part of the global Moomin 80 celebrations. The year's theme, “The Door is Always Open,” reflects the welcoming nature of the Moominhouse, offering comfort and security to all. In partnership with Counterpoints Arts and Refugee Week, Moomin Characters has commissioned four public artworks inspired by The Moomins and The Great Flood. One of these artworks is being created here in Gloucester alongside a programme of Moomin 80-inspired events, and the first of these events is this exhibition: Moomin ABC.
Moomin ABC at Museum of Gloucester opens on Saturday 29 March 2025. Tickets start at £5, with family tickets at £20 and under fours go free. Advance booking is advised, especially for busy weekends and holidays, as space per 1-hour slot is limited. Tickets are available from 10am Friday 28 February from Museum of Gloucester’s website or Welcome Desk.