Henna Asikainen, with Roua Horanieh Moomin 80 Commission

We are pleased to present a new public artwork conceived by artist Henna Asikainen in collaboration with Roua Horanieh, as part of the Moomin 80th Anniversary celebrations. Commissioned by Counterpoints Arts, Baltic, and supported by Moomin Characters, the project celebrates Tove Jansson’s beloved book The Moomins and the Great Flood, first published in 1945, with its timeless themes of inclusiveness and belonging.

Henna Asikainen is a Finnish multidisciplinary artist based in the UK, renowned for her socially engaged and participatory practice. Her work explores the intricate relationships between humans and the natural world, addressing themes of migration, climate justice, social belonging, and the ecological impact of displacement. For the new public artwork, Asikainen will collaborate with Syrian writer and architect Roua Horanieh, whose multidisciplinary career spans architecture, storytelling, and cultural reflection.

The commission aligns with national Refugee Week to highlight the resilience and creativity of refugees and asylum seekers. Asikainen’s work will exist alongside three other commissions in Southbank Centre, London, Gloucester Guildhall, and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. With its Gallery of Sanctuary status, Baltic continues to promote welcome, inclusivity, and awareness through creative platforms, making this collaboration an exciting opportunity to explore community and connection in the public realm.

Counterpoints Arts is a national organisation in the field of arts, migration and cultural change. Moomin Characters Oy Ltd is the official copyright holder of all the Moomin characters. The company was founded in the 1950s by Tove Jansson (1914–2001) and her brother Lars Jansson to manage the copyright of the Moomins and is still run by family members. Other Moomin 80th celebrations in 2025 include exhibitions worldwide, special publishing projects, and the launch of The Summer Book film and Moominvalleyanimation.