The Brooklyn Public Library has removed the character Stinky (Haisuli in Finnish) from parts of the Moomin exhibition “Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door is Always Open” after a visitor expressed concern that the character could be perceived as a racist symbol. The decision was made in an effort to foster an inclusive environment, according to library spokesperson Fritzi Bodenheimer.
The concern appears to have been based on the character’s appearance or perceived traits, although no specific justification or precedent was provided. Bodenheimer emphasized that there is no documented evidence or scholarly basis suggesting Stinky carries racist connotations. Nevertheless, the library acted on the complaint out of a commitment to sensitivity and inclusion.
Character remains in books, removed from mural displays
While Stinky was taken out of certain large-format visual displays, he still appears in the original Moomin books featured in the exhibition. The show is the first major retrospective in the United States dedicated to Tove Jansson, the Finnish-Swedish creator of the Moomins, and has been particularly successful with young audiences over the summer.
Roleff Kråkström, CEO of Moomin Characters, the company managing Jansson’s intellectual property, confirmed the decision was communicated by email. “We see this as a healthy societal discussion. If such a change is requested, we have no objection,” he told Finnish broadcaster Yle. Kråkström also underlined that this was the first time in 80 years that the character had drawn this kind of criticism.
Expert critique of the removal
Moomin scholar Sirke Happonen strongly criticised the removal, calling it “sudden and, frankly, absurd.” Happonen, who wrote her doctoral dissertation on the Moomin books, argued that the decision reveals a lack of familiarity with the stories.
“If someone sees Stinky as racist, they haven’t really read the comics. I doubt the critic even knows the Moomin stories,” she told Yle. Happonen described Stinky as a mischievous, comical figure who lives on the margins of Moomin society but is ultimately a beloved and harmless character.
“He’s quite funny, clearly the rogue of Moominvalley and unapologetically himself,” she said.
Cultural context and legacy of Tove Jansson
The Moomin universe, created by Tove Jansson in the mid-20th century, is widely recognised for its messages of tolerance, diversity, and inclusivity. Jansson, who identified as queer and often infused her work with subtle social commentary, has become a literary and cultural icon in the Nordic region and beyond.
The New York exhibition, open until 30 September, has contributed to the growing popularity of the Moomins in the United States, with coverage in the New York Times and recent fashion collaborations involving the characters. The incident highlights the cultural gap in how Nordic literature is interpreted abroad, especially when it intersects with American sensitivities regarding race and representation.
