Finnish character brand Moomin Characters has halted the licensing of Moomin images in Russia. Reports from VPost indicate that sanctions and geopolitical considerations are driving this decision, with the company no longer granting permission for use of the Moomin characters within the Russian Federation. In place of Moomin trolls, Russian businesses were offered Cheburashka as a contemporary alternative, described by representatives as a popular option at the moment.
The decision has also impacted planned promotional events, including Afimall and a Spring Moomin Festival in a Moscow shopping center. The event, initially scheduled for this week, was canceled due to copyright constraints linked to the licensing pause.
The Moomin figures originated with Finnish writer Tove Jansson, who founded Moomin Characters in 1958 alongside his brother Lars. The company remains under the stewardship of members of the Jansson family and continues to explore multiple narrative threads across various adaptations. Different versions of the Moomin stories exist, chronicling the adventures of the lovable, round-bodied trolls and their friends.
Throughout Jansson’s life, he permitted other authors to incorporate Moomins into their own works. One notable example is Harald Sonesson, who used the characters in his books and produced his own illustrations for them. This history illustrates a broader pattern in which the Moomin universe has interacted with authors and artists beyond the original publications, contributing to a diverse lineage of stories and artwork that fans recognize today. (Source: VPost)