Dancing Moomins Celebrating

When Dancing Moominvalley opened in 2010 we were so excited having evoked national treasures of Finland, the Moomins, into dance. What followed was still a big suprise. Dancing Moomins celebrated the 200th performance in September 2015. Since its premiere, Dancing Moominvalley ensemble has been touring abroad for instance in:

Jöngköping and Tierp, Sweden (2022),

Eskilstuna and Järfälla, Sweden (2016),
Shanghai, China (2015),
Gothenburg, Sweden (2015),  
Houghton, Michigan (2013), 
Stockholm, Sweden and Tucson, Arizona (2012),  
San Diego, California and Essen, Germany (2011),  
Shanghai, China (2010),  

Fukuoka, Japan (2009).

Dancing Moominvalley and its little sister production Peeks into the Dancing Moominvalley have run for 15 years and for more than 230 performances, making them together one of the longest-run productions in Dance Theatre MD. By the year 2025 nearly 36 000 people have seen the dancing Moomins. Now 2025 we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Moomin stories. Stay tuned for upcoming events.

 

Hurray! Congratulations to the Moomins!

For additional information on touring, booking, dance workshops and audience projects contact 

Dance Theatre MD, Paula Haajanen, Sales Assistant

paula.haajanen@tanssiteatterimd.fi

On the Road Part 31: Shanghai

Great News! Dance Theatre MD's Dancing Moominvalley ensemble will perform three times in Shanghai in coming September. The venue will be Shanghai Children's Art Theatre's Roewe Theatre. 

Shanghai Children's Art Theatre is part of the China Welfare Institute. The Theatre was officially opened on 1 June 2013, and renovated from the SAIC-GM Pavilion used during the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. Shanghai Children's Theatre is currently the city's only professional-level stage designated for children's drama performances. It can seat 1,088 audience members and has the kind of fancy equipment found in other contemporary theaters in town.

In Shanghai we will also celebrate Dancing Moominvalley ensembles 200th performance. Dancers in Shanghai are Anu Castrén, Jatta Haapamäki, Milka Laakso, Sonja Pälli, Sulevi Sihvola and Meri Seppänen accompanied by composer Heikki Mäenpää.

See you in Shanghai.

Further information and tickets: Shcat

Coming up: the 200th Performance

Photo: Samuli Roininen, Copyrights: Moomin Characters Ltd

Hurray! Our 200th performance is coming up soon!

 

Dance Theatre MD's Dancing Moomins celebrated the 100th performance in February 2013.

Since its premiere, Dancing Moominvalley ensemble has been touring all around Finland and abroad for instance in

Fukuoka, Japan (2009), 

Shanghai, China (2010), 

San Diego, California and Essen, Germany (2011), 

Stockholm, Sweden and Tucson, Arizona (2012), 

Houghton, Michigan (2013),
Gothenburg, Sweden (2015).

Stay tuned for further information.

Coming Up: Toves 100th Anniversary Year 2014

Photo: Ari Ijäs, Copyrights: Moomin Characters Ltd

Hallo there,

The most famous literature from Finland are probably the Moomin books by writer Tove Jansson. Her books have been adapted into television and film and have even inspired a museum in Tampere.

Tove herself was very aware of dancing and different styles in dance. You might recognize in her art work different social dances of the post war era, as well as classical ballett, but also, more supprisingly the modern dance - a dancing style that rejects many of the strict rules of classical ballet, focusing instead on the expression of inner feelings. Just like Vilijonk does in her stormy weather solo. One of our favourites. So, we can see the Moomins can, and they do dance, their friends dance, even nature itself dances, within their own style and personality, come what may.

Dancing Moomins celebrated this February the 100th performance. Since its premiere, Dancing Moominvalley ensemble has been touring abroad for instance in Fukuoka (2009), in Shanghai (2010), in San Diego and Essen (2011), in Stockholm and Tucson (2012), and in Houghton (2013). The definate highlight was when the project got selected into the Finnish Export Promotion Programme 2010 and eventually then received Shanghai EXPO Culture Award!

Next year is going to be the 100th anniversary year of Toves birth. So, Dancing Moomins continue touring here in Finland and abroad. We are working closely together with creative teams responsable for the anniversary years happenings.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you in the audience.

More detailed info coming up soon.

Dancing Moominvalley Team
Dance Theatre MD
Tampere, Finland

Tove100.com

Dancing Moominvalley in a nutshell

Photo: Samuli Roininen, Copyrights: Moomin Characters Ltd

We were just recently asked to explain what the Dancing Moominvalley production was all about? Well. How could we put the whole matter into a nutshell? Listen.

The most famous literature from Finland are probably the Moomin books by writer Tove Jansson. Her books have been adapted into television and film and have even inspired a museum known as The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum.

Moominvalley is also dancing. The Moomins dance, their friends dance, even nature itself dances and makes the Moominvalley inhabitants dance.

"Dancing Moominvalley is an award winning dance production which has been touring both in Finland and internationally from 2010. The piece is choreographed by Dance Theatre MD’s choreographer Samuli Roininen and the music is composed by Heikki Mäenpää. Based on Tove Jansson s book "The Tales from the Moominvalley"(published in 1962), The Dancing Moominvalley is a family dance adventure that begins with Snufkins search for his missing spring tune. The versatile Dancing Moominvalley ensemble leads the audience into a magical place of searching, learning and lifes little and big wonders."

This 50-minute dance theatre performance (and its interactive little sister concept Peeks to the Dancing Moominvalley) got its world premiere in 2010 at the Hällä stage in Tampere, Finland. Since then, Dancing Moominvalley ensemble has been touring abroad for instance in Fukuoka (2009), in Shanghai (2010), in San Diego and Essen (2011), in Stockholm and Tucson (2012).

Next time Dancing Moomins will be seen during the Finnfest USA 2013 festivities in Hancock, Michigan in this June. In this interactive performance you can sing along, dance, clap, and join in teaching Moomintroll some brand new dance routines. So, if you feel like having some Moominsummer madness, see for yourself why FinnFest could be an excellent Midsummer destination in 2013!

To take a sneak peek, click the link below.

Short moments in Dancing Moominvalley in You Tube


Dancing Moominvalley Team
Dance Theatre MD,
Tampere Finland

100 Dancing Moominvalleys and counting!

 

Today we toasted for a celebration because yesterday, 6th of February 2013, we had the 100th performance of Dancing Moominvalley!

And the end isn't even close!  The performances at Hällä- home stage continue till the 12th of February. After that Dancing Moominvalley can be seen in Viikinsaari Island, Tampere through the summer season 2013.

See You soon again.

Dance Theatre MD

On the Road Part 19: FinnFest2012, Tucson, AZ

Hi there,

Greetings from Tampere. 

Tomorrow we are about to have the very last rehearsals before we lounch for the tournee, first for Eura here in Finland, then a couple of days later for Tucson, Arizona. 

Also this year, The Dancing Moominvalley production, Dance Theatre MD together with Heikki Maenpaa’s Orchestra will be seen during the FinnFest activities.

Festivals programming for kids and families includes hands-on activities, musical theater, films and Finnish language in a fun setting. You'll also learn how to play a kantele, an easy to learn Finnish string instrument from back in the day…

Dancing Moomins will be also seen at the Variety Show – Iltamat in Finnish. This will be an unforgettable evening based on the old Finn Hall tradition tracing back to Finland. Iltamat includes variety of programming from reciting poems, humor, a short play and always ends in dance.  

We like that. See you at the Iltamat!! That is on Friday the 9th of November at 8 pm.

Dancing Moominvalley Team

Performances autumn 2010 and tickets

September
Tue September 7th at10
Wed September 8th at 10
Tue September 21st at 10
Tue September 21st at 18
Wed September 22nd at 10
Wed September 22nd at 18
Sat September 25th at 11
Thu September 30th at 18

October
Sat October 2nd at 14

November
Sun November 21st at 14
Tue November 23th at 18
Wed November 24th at 10
Wed November 24th at 18

Tickets: adults 15 euros, children under 15 years 8 euros, group ticket (10 tickets or more) à 8 euros, family ticket (five tickets) 50 euros.

Reservations: tel. +358 10 43 93 430, liput@tanssiteatterimd.fi

Tickets also available via Piletti.

On the Road Part 3: How did it begin?

Hallo again.

Did you know that Dancing Moominvalley is a part of the project ”Dancing Moominvalley, Shanghai Expo Moomin Cluster” featured in the Finnish cultural program at EXPO 2010?

Dancing Moominvalley is also included in the ”Cultural Bridges 2010” cultural export plan.



But you might still be wondering how did all this actually begin?

Well. Lets have a look at Dance Theatre MD's website:

"Based on the book ”Tales from Moominvalley” by Tove Jansson, The Dancing Moominvalley is a family dance adventure that begins with Snufkin’s search for his missing spring tune. The versatile Dancing Moominvalley ensemble leads the audience into a magical place of searching, learning and life’s little and big wonders.

We meet Fillyjonk who stops being afraid of accidents and learns how to laugh at herself.

Featuring a compelling musical score by Heikki Mäenpää.
And it all ends with another big Moomin celebration.
But has Ninny turned visible, and what kind of adventures did Moomintroll get into?

So, what are you waiting for, come along!"



Sounds exciting. But how does it actually start? Dancing Moominvalley.

Well.

We do start with the Scene 1: The Spring Tune


First we hear Snufkin’s Theme.

Snufkin is working on a new melody.

Wants to be alone.

Meets an enthusiastic, anonymous little bug.

Loses the melody and gets angry with the bug.

Names the bug: Ti-ti-oo.

Feels bad after chasing the bug away.

Travels on, looking for Ti-ti-oo.

Misses Moomintroll, too.

Decides to head for Moominvalley.

Comes up with the Spring Tune.


We might also hear the soundscape (quotes by Tove Jansson):

In the forest.

”On a windless, cloudless evening in late April . . .” ”. . . the cries of migrating birds . . .” The stream’s ripple. ”. . . it danced . . . went headfirst into a little waterfall . . . was singing in the major key like a mosquito and every now and then tried to look big and intimidating.” ”Suddenly a rock came off the dam and changed the pitch of the water by an octave.”

The treetops, and the wind going through them. The sigh of leaves.

We hear a variation of the theme.

We see Moomintroll appearing in another place at the same time (looking for his friend).

*****

That is how it all got started.

We got started while looking for the Spring Tune.


But that was only a start.


Samuli Roininen, Dancer-choreographer, Dance Theatre MD

On the Road Part 2: Spinning Greetings

Photo: Samuli Roininen, Copyrights: Moomin Characters Ltd


Hi there,

About the media. YLE. What is that all about?

"The Finnish Broadcasting Company almost always referred to by its abbreviation "YLE", is Finland's national broadcasting company, founded in 1926.

YLE is a public-broadcasting organization which shares many of its characteristics with its British counterpart, the BBC, on which it was largely modelled. It is known as the "Finnish Broadcasting Corporation" in English. It employs around 3,200 people in Finland."

(Wikipedia)

Thus, YLE.fi offers news also for the English speaking audience.

Last week they released a piece of news on the Dancing Moominvalley with the headline:

"Moomins Spin into World of Modern Dance"

We liked alot the idea of spinning. Its dynamics. The energy.

Want to read more about it?

The Moomins take to the modern dance stage.



The popular Moomin characters are entering the world of contemporary dance. The characters, who were the brainchild of Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, are taking to the modern dance stage for the first time on Thursday.

The Tampere dance group Mobita-Dansco will premiere the show Tanssiva Muumilaakso (Dancing Moominvalley) on Thursday. The performance will also be held in Shanghai at the World's Fair.

The beloved Moomins have been seen in animated series, theatre and musical performances and comics. They have also been branded on cards, toys and dishware. In spite of their far-reaching popularity, choreographer Samuli Roininen says he believes bringing the Moomins into the world of modern dance can teach audiences something new and substantial about the creatures.

"The Moominvalley characters are quite the dancers in Jansson's texts and illustrations. That provides us with such delectable dance parts," he says.

Roininen says he thinks the routine will appeal to adults and children alike.

The modern dance performance is based on Jansson's book "Tales from Moominvalley". The music was composed by Heikki Mäenpää.

Jansson’s 13 Moomin novels and thousands of Moomin cartoons have been translated into 40 languages.

(YLE published Wed Apr 7 07:28 PM, updated Wed 08:52 PM)




Thus, the spinning greetings from Tampere, Finland.

Welcome to the Hällä-Stage.



Samuli Roininen, Choreographer, Dance Theatre MD

On the Road Part 1: EXPO2010

Photos: Samuli Roininen, Copyrights: Moomin Characters Ltd

Hallo.

Good news.

Dancing Moominvalley will be introduced in China with two nights at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai in the coming August.

What is the Expo2010 all about?

"World EXPO 2010 Shanghai China will be held from May 1 to October 31, 2010 and last 184 days. The estimated number of visitors is 70 million, including about 5.5 million foreign visitors. EXPO aims to attract some 200 countries and international organizations as exhibitors. The scale of this event will be the largest in the history of EXPOs. The venue covers over 320 hectares in the heart of the Shanghai metropolis.

The main theme is Better city, better life. "

Better life(...)

I think one of the main themes in Toves work has always been how to find out the way to live a rich individual life, together with the other people. How to find your own face, or rather, your own way, I would say, and still respect the others. So. This seems to be a perfect day to start a brand new story line in this blog:

On the Road.

We will follow the Dancing Moominvalley / EXPO 2010 -project from the start. That is the Dancing Moominvalley Finnish premiere on the 8th of April 2010. From there we follow the preparations and take the blog with us to Shanghai and to the tour elsewhere abroad and in Finland.

I am happy to invite you with us. To the Dancing Moominvalley.

*****

FINLAND AT EXPO 2010 IN SHANGHAI.

READ MORE ABOUT IT: http://www.finlandatexpo2010.fi

Samuli Roininen, Choreographer, Dance Theatre MD, Finland

Tickets available!

Tickets for Dancing Moominvalley are available!

You can buy online www.piletti.fi or tel. +358 600 13377 (1,50 € / min + pvm). Tickets also on sale at Hällä Stage on week days at 10:00 - 16:00.

Ticket reservations also on week days at 10:00 -16:00 tel. +358 10 439 3430 and e-mail liput@tanssiteatterimd.fi.
(Calls for numbers beginning with 010 are chargeable, from landlines 8,21 snt/call+ 5,90 snt/min, from mobile phones 8,21 snt/call+ 16,90 snt/min. )

Performances spring 2010 and tickets

April 2010

Thu April 8th at 18.30 (premiere)
Tue April 13th at 10
Tue April 13th at 18.30
Wed April 14th at 10
Wed April 14th at 18.30
Thu April 15th at 10
Thu 15th at 18.30

May 2010

Mon May 10th at 18.30
Tue May 11th at 10
Tue May 11th at 18.30
Wed May 12th at 10
Wed May 12th at 18.30
Thu May 13th at 14
Sat May 15th at 14
Sun May 16th at 14
Tue May 18th at 10
Tue May 18th at 18.30
Wed May 19th at 10

Tickets: adults 15 euros, children under 15 years 8 euros, group ticket (10 tickets or more) à 8 euros, family ticket (five tickets) 50 euros.

Reservations: tel. +358 10 43 93 430, liput@tanssiteatterimd.fi

Tickets also available via Piletti.

Members of the team

Script, composing and sound design Heikki Mäenpää
Script, direction and choreography Samuli Roininen
Costume design and visual realization Carmela Wager
Projection and visual realization Sanna Malkavaara
Lightning design Sari Mayer
Stage manager and set realization Matias Palo
Graphic design Ville-Veikko Heinonen
Research, consultant and lecturer Sirke Happonen
Special Advisor Panu Raninen
ProductionDance Theatre MD, Harjula Production Ltd
In co-operation EPSON, Moomin Characters Ltd, the Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum, Harjula Production Ltd and Muumien ystävät -yhdistys Myy ry.
Co-operation and consultants Elina Bonelius / The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum
Sointu Lanki / Muumien Ystävät Yhdistys Myy Ry
Performers Anu Castren/Anniina Kumpuniemi, Suvi Eloranta, Mikko Heino, Sara Kovamäki, Samuli Roininen
Orchestra Muumilaakso Orchestra
Other co-operation partners Heikki Mäkipää / The Finnish Institute in Japan
Sophia Jansson, Roleff Kråkström / Oy Moomin Characters Ltd

Dancing Moominvalley - Tanssiva Muumilaakso

Dancing Moominvalley which has it’s premiere in April 8th 2010 is a dance production based on Tove Jansson’s book The Tales from the Moominvalley that opens the well known themes of her books: invisibility, otherness and difference.

The basis of the visual world of the piece are the original illustrations of Tove Jansson in the collection of The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum. The world of the illustrations and the tales of Jansson are now interpreted on stage by the means of dance theatre.

The piece is choreographed by Dance Theatre MD’s choreographer Samuli Roininen and the music is composed by Heikki Mäenpää. Dance, music and visual elements such as projections intertwine to interpret the holistic and fascinating world created in Jansson’s tales.

As the starting point of the choreographic process is the thesis of PhD Sirke Happonen Fillyjonk at the window – The picture, Word and Movement in Tove Jansson’s Moomin Books. The thesis asks how does Jansson create movement in her illustrations and how she characterizes the characters’ typical way to move in her texts. These are the questions the Dance Theatre MD’s Dancing Moominvalley production tries to answer.

Visually spectacular, fully composed contemporary dance piece for the whole family has a new approach to the moomins but the themes are familiar to all of us who have read the books.