Moominsummer Madness

I was the only adult in the room that was there without any children company but was equally excited to meet Tove Jansson’s characters came to life. My only concerned? The stare. I would definitely looked like I was out of place. Every adult in the room had at least a young fellow – and they were the main reason that these adults they were there? For me, I was the main reason I was there. I intentionally decided to arrive at Polka Theatre minutes before the performance started, so that the theatre room had gone dark and my awkwardness wouldn’t show. I arrived with a Hemmulen dressing up in a police manner, holding a “No Smiling” sign; and of course all the little ones scream, “But you’re silly!” I felt at home.

The show was silly and clever at the same time. The songs and lyrics, the voices of the puppet master as they guided Moomin and Snork Maiden around, the invisible underwater world as Moomin – in his swimming trunk – dove in to the flooding house to get porridge and jam for Moominpapa’s growling stomach, the setting; they were magical.

The theatre was ruled for the children, the whole Polka Theatre was the children’s. It was where their voice matters the most, and in a way it is the only thing that matters. It was a place where children’s height became the standard for the toilet seat and the sink, the adults needed to adjust. Moomin remained a reality even after we got out of the room. They were still screaming to the pompous Hemmulen who still tried to sushhh- every one, they carried home the ticket for Moominpapa’s play that the crew distributed.

The more I grow up, the more I feel that adults had been very unfair to the minds of the children. We, at times, ignore them. Or even if we listen and respond accordingly, the chances that we take their words seriously were slim. Perhaps it is unfair to say that we do that; but I for sure plea guilty. That all children should have the privilege to enjoy these kinds of performances is hands down ideal, it is important for children to be acknowledged that their world matters. Albeit surviving the imaginations I had kept from my younger days, there were times when I felt that my being small means the world I was in as a child had less significance. I am grateful that I had my imagination to avoid bitterness of growing up. But really I consider myself lucky. With the madness of the world today I really hope every child has a Moomin-like world to escape their misery, while the adults attempted to fix it. It might take God-knows how long. It might take only a Moomintroll to save us all.

(Darn, I can’t stop thinking how Indonesian – and yes, I mean oh you children of Jakarta – need to have these small and intimate alternative performances.)

I’m finnishing (pun intended) my dissertation so I can leisurely attempt to plan a trip to Finland. The year 2014 is the Centennial year of Tove Jansson. She would’ve been 100 years. They have tons of event going on in Finland and beyond to celebrate. The Moominsummer Madness animation movie would be screened at ICA this 9th and 10th of August and London is taking part in different events throughout the summer too. If you’re around, check them out here.