Bradford park to host art celebrating 80 years of Moomins

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has been selected as one of four partners around the UK to host new artwork celebrating the characters – with the artwork on display in Bowling Park next Summer.

The Moomins and the Great Flood was originally published in 1945 by the acclaimed Finnish artist, illustrator and writer Tove Jansson.

Since then the quirky characters have become an international pop culture phenomenon.

In the UK, the brand is partnering with Counterpoints Arts and Refugee Week to commission four artists to create four public artworks inspired by the work.

A statement from the partnership says: “Under the theme “The Door is Always Open” – referring to the door of the Moominhouse, which offers shelter, comfort and security to all who seek it, new and returning fans alike are invited to join in celebrations which will including charitable fundraisers, fan competitions, new books, a film, product launches and much more.”

Basel Zaraa, an artist born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, will create the Bradford piece which will be on display in the Bradford Council run park in June 2025.

Bowling Park (Image: Bradford 2025)

The other three artworks in the UK will be hosted by Southbank Centre in London; Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead and Gloucester Guildhall.

The artworks will appear in May and June 2025 and will be supported by a range of community programming, Refugee Week resources and activations. 

James Zambra, Creative Director of Moomin Characters, said: “The shelter, comfort and security that the Moominhouse provides are all universal needs, as relevant today as they were 80 years ago when Tove Jansson penned the first Moomin story. We couldn’t think of a better partner with which to celebrate the importance of a warm welcome and a sense of belonging than Refugee Week.”

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this global project, marking the 80th anniversary of these much-loved characters. Bradford is a City of Sanctuary, a city of Peace and place of refuge for people from across the world. Basel Zaraa’s work, demonstrates that audiences, wherever they are from will be welcome, included and safe at Bradford 2025.”

Other Moomin80 celebrations around will include major exhibitions in Finland, Sweden, Poland, China and South Korea.