In 1945, just after the Second World War, Tove Jansson wrote The Moomins and the Great Flood, her first book about the Moomins, a family of loveably eccentric, chubby, hippo-esque trolls.

Moomintroll, Moominmamma, Moominpappa, The Snork Maiden, dreamer Snufkin, the bossy Hemulens, the tomboyish Little My and various other ancestors and buddies are now loved by children and adults alike the world over. Their adventures in the original books have been translated into 44 languages, there are animated films and television series, a theme park, plays, university courses - even a Moomin opera!

Now, in 2015, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Finland's biggest pop culture export with a special mini season for May half term. We'll be screening Moomins on the Riviera, a new Moomin feature film starring the Moomins in their original context, where the gang head to the French Riviera and find the lure of fame, fortune and high society impossible to resist, and there's a chance to hear more about the extraordinary life of their creator at a screening of fascinating documentary Moominland Tales.

The bigger Moomin fans among you can enjoy talking about all things Moomin over a glass of wine by candle light after the doc in the Café/Bar, where Moomin fan extraordinaire (and noted children's author) Philip Ardagh will be holding court. Families are also invited to get crafty at our Make Your Own Moomin Workshops, where you'll get a chance to create your favourite Moomin out of felt, and take them home.

Watch out for more Moomin-related fun in the Café/Bar, which will be decked in loads of Moomin-inspired decoration, and you can even enjoy lunch or a drink next to - you guessed it - giant stuffed Moomins, just like they have at the famous Moomin Café in Japan. There you go, Moomin fans young and old - plenty to get you excited about. Travel to Moominvalley with us this May and get involved..

Ticket prices: £5.50 - £8.00

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