Christmas Surprise (2009)

Kaj Franck

Kaj Franck was born on November 9, 1911 in Vyborg. He was one of the most internationally known Finnish glass and ceramic designers. In 1932, Franck graduated from the School of Art and Design as a furniture designer. After graduation, Franck worked as a catalog designer, interior designer, and furniture designer. Franck was the artistic director of the Nuutajärvi glass factory from 1950 to 1973. In addition to this, he worked as a teacher at the Art School in 1945 and later as its artistic director from 1960–1969. Kaj Franck has designed products for Arabia, Iittala and Artek, among others. Franck's best-known works are the Kilta series, the Teema series and the Kartio glasses. During his career, Kaj Franck won several awards and received recognition for his design work at the Milan Triennial in 1951, 1954 and the Milan Triennial Grand Prix in 1957. He has also received the Compasso d’Oro Prize, the Lunning Prize, the Prince Eugen Medal and Pro Finlandia. In 1972, he was awarded the title of Professor and Honorary Doctor of the Royal College of Art in London in 1983. Kaj Franck died at the age of 77 in 1989.

Tove Slotte

Tove Slotte, born in 1957, is a Finnish artist and a graphic designer. She is a professional ceramist. Tove Slotte worked at Arabia from 1985 to 1990, after which she has worked as a freelance designer. She is best known for designing and illustrating the Moomin products for Iittala and Arabia ceramics. Tove Slotte has been a Moomin fan since her childhood. She says her favourite Moomin book is The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My. Tove Slotte has designed the Moomin products for Arabia for more than 30 years.

Moomintroll

Moomintroll is a lovable and happy creature, and he longs for adventure. He is always at the heart of the event. He cares for his friends very much, and wants everyone around him to be happy. Just like the other Moomins, Moomintroll loves the sea. Moomintroll is a great combination of his parents: He is brave and adventurous like Moominpappa, as well as kind and compassionate like Moominmamma. The best place in the world for Moomintroll is Moominvalley, and he never fails to find an adventure. His fearlessness and longing for adventure sometimes carry him out of the Valley. Moomintroll is a roundish character, and he has a tussle at the end of his tail. In spite of his young age, Moomintroll has experienced the highs and lows of romance with his girlfriend Snorkmaiden. Moomintroll first appeared in Tove Jansson’s novel The Moomins and the Great Flood.

Moominpappa

Moominpappa is the decisive and fair patriarch of the Moomin family. Moominpappa is known to be adventurous by nature, with thousands of experiences and stories from his younger years. He is also a thinker, who writes his chronicles and always wants to know what is going on around him. Family is everything to Moominpappa, and he is willing to do whatever it takes for his family. He is settled in Moominvalley and enjoys the quiet life, but still remembers his days of wild adventure. Moominpappa loves the sea and considers himself a great sailor and a fisherman. He uses a cane, and is hardly ever seen without his top hat. Moominpappa first appeared in Tove Jansson’s book The Moomins and the Great Flood.

Moominmamma

Moominmamma is the lovable and gentle mother figure, and her peaceful character brings some stability to the colourful and lively Moomin family. Moominmamma is a caring and loving personality, who only wishes all living creatures well. Moominmamma appreciates uniqueness in everyone and is always just. Amongst the inhabitants of Moomin Valley, Moominmamma is considered a very reliable and helpful person. She is never out of chores and she loves to keep busy in her kitchen and the garden. Moominmamma has an astonishing ability to see that every cloud has a silver lining. The apron and the handbag are very important accessories to Moominmamma. In the handbag she carries supplies for all possible occasions. Moominmamma appears in almost all of the Moomin books.

Little My

Little My lives in the Moomin house and is a part of the Moomin family, even though she is not really related to the Moomins. Mymble older is her mother, Mymble her sister, and Snufkin his half-brother. In spite of her small size, Little My is very courageous, fearless and brave. Little My is known for being quite feisty and having a sharp sense of humour. Little My always makes her own decisions and acts as she sees fit. She doesn’t let any kind of mayhem disturb her, and loves spending time in narrow and unusual places that most can’t even fit into. Little My is also very curious, she loves secrets and is good at keeping them. Little My has an orange bun of hair and a red dress. Little My first appeared in Tove Jansson’s book The Memoirs of Moominpappa.

Hemulen the Skiier