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XY magazine, 1997, by James Patrick Dawson

Tove Jansson always had a strong connection with the sea, which was a source of inspiration for her. This started during her childhood when her parents would take Tove and her brothers to spend their summers in the archipelago. Jansson family mostly rented the same cabins for each summer. These were also times when Tove could connect with her emotionally distant father, who would take his children on nightly adventures to look at the storm or put out fires around the islands. Tove inherited her love for danger and disasters from her father during these summers.

As an adult, Tove made sure to spend her summers away from the city as well. She would often spend time with her brothers and their families in their cabins or even rent out cottages by herself. When Tove met her life partner Tuulikki Pietilä, they quickly settled into the routine together. Tuulikki would visit Tove in her cottage at first and eventually the two women got a small island together. They spent their summers there with their cat and only returned to Helsinki for winter.

Tove loved everything about being in the archipelago. She was good with her hands and enjoyed the rough work it required. As usual for man Finnish cabins even today, her rented places did not have any electricity or running water. Being away from even such basic modern comforts was an experience that allowed her to rest and gather her strength.