Just bits of interesting insights for many a Moomin fans. It is such a marvelous thing that Moomins have been brought once again to next generations of people via gaming! Gaming and its many possibilities is an effective art form growing all the while.

*Atos Wirtanen*

"Full of untamed zest for life, with a dazzlingly clear mind." This is how Tove Jansson characterizes Atos Wirtanen in a letter in the autumn of 1944. They had been a couple for over a year at that point.

Atos Wirtanen was a journalist, writer, and member of parliament, and sought to make an active contribution and even changes to society. He sure didn't have nor appreciated "locks of mind" - Atos Wirtanen was a real life Snufkin; his characteristic attire and habit of roaming free, with no desire for physical possessions were some of the familiar traits of our hero.

Wirtanen rolling pebbles down steep cliffs (just as Moomintroll and Snufkin do) was amongst things that Wirtanen taught her companion. Snufkin's green hat is also borrowed from Wirtanen. Finns are often described as "starers to the fire" - which is what Snufkin does deep in thoughts in his own peace in the middle of woods.

Snufkin is a philosophical and often comes across as self sufficient vagabond who wanders the world fishing and playing the harmonica. He always returns to his beloved friends, and is very loyal to them. Wirtanen was known to often defy authorities if needed, just as Snufkin does. Moomintroll is Snufkins best friend.

"The main thing in life is to know your own mind." –Snufkin, Moominsummer Madness (1954)

*Tuulikki Pietilä*

Tuulikki Pietilä was the role model and inspiration for the character Too-ticky, introduced in the book Moominland Midwinter.

Tuulikki started her artistic education in Turku at the age of 16, and went on to the academy of fine arts in Helsinki 3 years later. During the Winter War she served in East Karelia as a part of Lotta's voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for women.

Tove was also active in her services for her country, and she excelled for example in thought provoking political cartoons during Winter War and Continuation War. Finland's power defending against the Soviet Union and impossible odds made the observing world breathless.

Similarities between Tuutikki and Tuulikki are many. Just like Too-ticky (Tuutikki), Tuulikki was a craftswoman who created her own world in her studio. Too-ticky's breton sweater also come from Pietilä.

Pietilä met with Tove in 1955 (a gramophone artists guild Christmas party in Helsinki) and they also became romantic partners until Tove's death in 2001. Despite Tove’s invitations, they didn’t dance together at that first meeting, but later on Tuulikki sent a Christmas card that same year and the relationship started to develop.

A harsh winter lingered and the snowdrifts were high in March 1956 when Tove first visited Tuulikki’s studio in faraway Töölö. They shared a bottle of wine and played their new French records.

The couple spent many summers in Pellinki; these island travels were documented by Pietilä in several hours of film. Many documentaries have been made from this footage, including Haru, yksinäinen saari (Haru, the lonely island; 1998) and Tove ja Tooti Euroopassa (Tove and Tooti in Europe, 2004).

Tuulikki and Tove collaborated on Moomin characters. 43 three-dimensional pieces created by Tuulikki Pietilä can be seen today at the Moomin Museum in Tampere, Finland.