Mummi Snorkfrøken, tallerken (1957)

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 Jansson

Tove Marika Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish author, a cartoon artist and a painter, best known for creating the Moomin characters. She was born on August 9th, 1914 in Helsinki, Finland. Tove Jansson was described as a tolerant human being with a good sense of humour. Tove Jansson became recognized in the 1940s, after the first Moomin novels were published. Her Moomin stories were published in newspapers, comic books and picture books. Jansson’s Moomin stories have been translated into 45 different languages, which makes her the most translated Finnish author of all time. Tove Jansson was very skilled in depicting different kinds of emotions in her Moomin stories. It wasn’t long before the Moomins had found their fans – in both children and adults. Later in life, Tove Jansson created more visual art and stories for adults. Moomin stories have been modified and used in different forms: In theatre, films, opera, radio and TV adaptations. First and foremost, Tove Jansson identified as a painter. She created commissioned artwork for Aurora Children’s Hospital, several charities, kindergartens and schools. Tove Jansson passed away in Helsinki on June 27th 2001, 86 years old. Since 2020 the Ministry of the Interior has recommended raising a flag on August 9th in honour of Tove Jansson and Finnish art.

Snorkfrøken

Snorkmaiden is young and a bit of an erratic personality, always full of surprises. Snorkmaiden is Moomintroll’s friend and his love interest. Snorkmaiden has a brother called Snork, and they belong in the family of Snorks. The snorks change their colouring according to their emotions, and Snorkmaiden turns pale green when she gets upset. Snorkmaiden is an eternal dreamer, who often daydreams of romance and the prince of her dreams. Her vain and flirtatious nature might seem annoying to the others from time to time, but sometimes her stubbornness turns out to be very useful. Snorkmaiden has lovely golden coloured bangs, and a golden anklet. Snorkmaiden first appeared in Tove Jansson’s novel Comet in Moominland.

Lille 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.

Toft