Moominvalley

Background

The Moomins are fictional characters from a series written and illustrated by Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson in 1948. Tove was raised in Helsinki by her Finnish father, a sculptor, and her Swedish mother, an illustrator. During Tove’s childhood, she and her brother were by a hut discussing literary philosophy, which led to Tove sketching “the ugliest creature imaginable“ On the hut’s wall. Although she gave it the name “Snork“, that was the first-ever illustration of the Moomins.

The Moomins and the Great Flood

During the 1939–1940 war between the Soviet Union and Finland (the Winter War), Tove believed she had to write a tale with a happy ending to help her cope with the horrors happening around her. Her friends encouraged her to write a children’s book, so in 1939, she began writing the first Moomin book titled The Moomins and the Great Flood, Published in 1945. The plot centres on Moominmamma and Moomintroll’s search for Moominpappa, who went missing.

Finn Family Moomintroll

Tove’s third book, Finn Family Moomintroll, was published in 1948, and in 1950, it was translated into English, marking the beginning of her worldwide breakthrough. Compared to her first two books, Finn Family Moomintroll is much different. Tove wrote the book during a peaceful period after the war, making the plot less focused on disasters endangering Moominvalley and more on the characters’ relationships and what is right and wrong.

LGBT+ themes

Discussions of gender identity and same-sex relationships were frowned upon and considered “taboo,“ during the period the books and comics were published. However, Tove has always been open about her sexuality and has incorporated diverse gender roles and LGBT+ themes into her works. Particularly noteworthy are the two androgynous elf-like creatures Thingumy and Bob, whom she based on her former girlfriend Vivica Bandler and herself.

Moomintroll

Moomintroll is the main character of the Moomin franchise. He is outgoing, enthusiastic and a good friend to all citizens of Moominvalley. He is fond of the sea and loves nature, showing an interest in collecting rocks and shells. Despite his tendency to worry, he has an adventurous and curious spirit that makes him a dreamer who longs to travel beyond the secure confines of the Moominvalley and encounter new creatures on the way. Moomintroll was overly reliant on others in the earlier comics and books but eventually learned the value of independence and not relying too heavily on others after enduring a brutal winter alone without his family.

Little My

Little My is a small mymble (a troll species created by Tove) with green eyes and ginger hair tied into a ponytail resembling an onion top. She is a quick-tempered, strong-willed trickster who is often up to mischief around Moominvalley. She is a debater who uses logic and personal attacks to win arguments and finding joy in causing chaos and thriving in danger. Despite this, she is protective of her friends and spends most of her time with the Moomins, whom she views as her own family.

Snufkin

Snufkin, the younger half-brother of Little My and Moomintroll’s beloved friend, is a kind-hearted, philosophical adventurer admired by many in Moominvalley. Every winter, he travels south and returns to Moominvalley in the spring, where Moomintroll excitedly waits for his arrival each day. Snufkin appreciates the small things in life, like fishing, night walks and playing instruments, particularly the harmonica. He has an easygoing personality but enjoys challenging authority figures such as parkkeepers. Although he likes Moomintroll’s company, his introverted personality makes him prefer to be alone. Snufkin, and his relationship with Moomintroll, are based on Tove’s partner of three years, philosopher and journalist Atos Wirtanen.

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Hello! My name is Yolanda Sánchez Acosta, I was born on July 15, 2002 in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, when I was 13 years old I moved to Iceland and at first, I was very afraid of changes, it was a different continent and another language I had to get used to and learn, but over time every day I learn more and more.

Since I arrived in Iceland I was very interested in computers, I was not in graphic design, at first, I entered Tækniskólinn in computing and after 3 semesters I told myself that this is not for me, my friends supported me, since at home I always designed for them and I think this is the best decision I have made. I love what I have learned and, in the future, I want to continue learning more.

What are my hobbies?

Well, obviously computers add video games to that, when I have time I get together with my friends and we hang out playing online, sports are something that I have always loved, since I was little I practiced volleyball until I was 16 years old, I even got to enter the Icelandic league, but unfortunately I hurt my knees and I couldn‘t continue playing, today I still enjoy watching sports like baseball, NBA and volleyball.

What will I do after graduation?

Well, I plan to do several courses, these to have more knowledge for my future, when I finish I would love to travel to another country to go to university.

Thank all my teachers who helped me when the language was a barrier for me, they always made me feel like I belonged to that wonderful group.

Takk fyrir mig.