Black and white photo of a woman with short hair and a knitted sweater sitting at a desk, surrounded by papers and drawings, writing under a desk lamp.

The Writings of Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson (1914–2001) is one of Finland’s most internationally recognised authors and artists. Her body of work – from the Moomin books to her prose for adults – forms an important part of both Finnish and global literary heritage.

The digital edition The Writings of Tove Jansson brings together, for the first time, all her known and preserved literary manuscripts, including beloved classics such as Moominsummer Madness, Moominvalley in November, and The Summer Book. The edition traces Jansson’s artistic process and precise use of language, following each work from early drafts to the completed book. She wrote primarily in Swedish and remained active throughout her life as both a writer and visual artist.

Launched in 2025 as a collaboration between the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland, Moomin Characters, and the Åbo Akademi University Library, The Writings of Tove Jansson is a long-term project that will expand gradually. The digital format offers new opportunities to explore one of the most distinctive literary voices of the 20th century.