Celebrating a Troll (Moomintroll)

This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tove Jansson, the renowned Finnish artist and writer. In Europe she is a household name and her Moomin books, illustrations, comics and videos are everywhere. She is a cultural icon and her works a treasure.

I recall the Moomin books vividly from my youth but my own bookshelf at home was empty of her books. Easily rectified I thought. I would just look at a few from the public library to help decide what to buy. I was dismayed to search the public libraries for her books to find the pickings rather slim. No problem, I would just have a look on the shelf at my local bookshops. I visited bookshops, even the redoubtable Westbooks, but found they didn't have any in store. What! No demand they said but we can get them for you.

It seems that sometime since my youth Tove Jansson and her Moomin books have fallen from favour in this part of the world. When I talk about Jansson's books to colleagues and friends I find many who know nothing of them.

This is intolerable. I now have a set of her books and am reading them even as I write, and I can testify that they are good, very, very good. I am in awe of her writing and her illustration. These are books that have stood the test of time because they are quality.

It is time for some renewal. I urge you, my reader, to get some Moomin on your shelves. Your shelves at home, your shelves at work, the shelves of your local book retailer. What a great way to mark the anniversary of a national (Finnish) treasure.

You will not be disappointed.

Celebrating 100 Years http://www.tove100.com/

Tove Jansson: Love, war and the Moomins http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26529309

Suggested titles :) http://www.goodreads.com/series/50696-the-moomins

Playing sport for fun

Mr13 plays Modcrosse on a Saturday morning.

 

Modcrosse is a modified, junior version of the better known Lacrosse. The club he plays with has four under 13 teams and they play against each other. They keep score and play by the rules but there are no sheep stations on offer and no ugly parent syndrome. If a team is short then a player from the other side will swap for the day. The game is basically played because the organising adults really like the sport and the kids enjoy playing. Perhaps because it isn't a mainstream sport it attracts kids and families who are a little less fanatical, I don't know, but it is very pleasant. Sport played for fun!

 

DNA Molecule Man - art on campus

Walked past this many times. Didn't want to stop and look too closely but made the effort today to find the plaque. Much older than I would have guessed. 1972. Andrew Hickson.

 

 

More art on campus

I've walked past a particular art work on campus for year but made the effort the other day to find out the artist and the title. Unfortunately it's plaque seemed to have gone missing (the campus is constantly being improved) but Yammer provided the information via the Gallery.

This is Loco Form by Lou Lambert and was acquired in 1985, so has withstood the elements (and campus improvements) quite well.

 

I discovered that there are more works by Lou Lambert.

This is Jacks or Better and was acquired in 1994.

 

 

Now I need to keep an eye out for other work on campus by Lou Lambert!

 

Seasonal Wetland

This artificial lake on campus has been reconstructed as a seasonal wetland. This means that it has water when it has rained and is dry when it is dry. Sometimes a little information helps, and since realising what the lake is mean to be I have learned to appreciate it, even when it is dry.