The article analyzes the metaphor of Moomin Valley, based on a series of books by Tove Jansson (1914–2001), published between 1945 and 1970. This metaphor is considered both in the context of the entire work of the Finnish writer and artist and in the context of Swedish-language Finnish literature in general. The article presents a brief history of this literature, its current situation (through the illustrative metaphor of a “cramped room”) and its connections with Finnish and related Swedish literature. It also evaluates the past and current position of Finland Swedes in Finnish society, the trends that have developed in recent decades, the opposition of metropolitan and rural Swedish-speaking Finland, the history of the emergence of the metaphor of Moomin Valley and its comparison with the metaphor of the Duck Pond, which has gradually lost its relevance due to the changes that have occurred in Finnish society. The article also examines the perception of Swedish-speaking Finns in Sweden through the mentioned metaphor and the emergence of a special “Moomin dialect” based on the Finnish version of Swedish and presented in TV and radio productions on the western shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. Based on the research of Tove Jansson’s work and a number of biographical facts, quotations from works and work notes, parallels are drawn between the geographical and climatic description of the “Valley” and “oases” of Swedish Finland, between key characters and their modern interpretation by Swedish-speaking Finns, between the plot and the environment of the author of stories about Moomins. It also mentions the prototypes of the characters in this book series (e. g. Moominmamma, Moominpappa, Tofsla, Vifsla, etc.) and their characteristic features, which are important from the point of view of comparing the metaphor of the Moomin Valley with social processes in Finnish society in the 21st century. Contemporary Swedish-language Finnish authors and their connection with the books and characters of Tove Jansson’s works are mentioned. In conclusion, the perspectives of Swedish-language Finnish literature and their refraction in the metaphor under consideration are analyzed.
Vostrov A. INHABITANTS OF MOOMIN VALLEY IN THE CRAMPED ROOM OF SWEDISH-LANGUAGE FINNISH LITERATURE