Moomin Naantali

Moomins have been part of Naantali for 24 summers already. In 1993, Moominworld was established in Naantali, although there had previously been plans to build a Moomin theme park in Ruissalo, Turku. On April 5, 1993, a decision was made to change the location, and already that same summer at Midsummer, Moominworld opened to the public.

“No one believed the schedule would hold, and the goal of 100,000 visitors was considered crazy,” says Moominworld CEO Tomi Lohikoski.

“The four-story Moominhouse, complete with a jam cellar, was completed in less than three months, thanks to the city of Naantali’s willpower — for example, they got building permits for a house comparable to a detached home in just a few hours,” Lohikoski continues.

The animated series that began in the early 90s had already sparked the Moomin boom, and the upcoming Moominworld received a lot of attention. Even though there was no money for advertising, 170,000 visitors found their way to Dennis Livson’s newly founded Moominworld during the first summer.

Lohikoski, who started as a summer worker at Moominworld in 1993 and is now the CEO, remembers how Tove Jansson visited the park the day before the opening, with tears in her eyes as she looked at the new Moomin theme park.

“A product of my imagination has now come to life,” Tove had said.

This June, you can explore Moominworld for two full days for the price of one – read our previous blog post to find out what new attractions have been created for Moomin fans this summer!