Genelec helps Moomin Cafe in China capture charm of Finnish tales
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of The Moomins, one of the world’s best-loved animated series. Created by Tove Jansson to comfort herself during World War Two, the series began with ‘The Moomins and the Great Flood’ – a reflection of how many at the time were forcibly parted from their homes. Offering hope, Jansson brought the displaced characters to idyllic Moominvalley and their famed blue Moominhouse. And so began a perennial message of courage, compassion and unconditional inclusivity, which went on to capture audiences everywhere. Now, one wholehearted fan in Shenzhen, China, has opened an engaging cafe experience to offer customers their own adventure into the Finnish series’ magical world.
Wang Zhiguo, owner of Shenzhen’s Moomin Cafe, feels strongly that the core value of The Moomins “lies in its healing nature”, adding “these fairytales have therapeutic qualities.” It is this uplifting energy he aims to offer to the cafe’s visitors – through a whimsical blend of thematic audiovisual, refreshment and tactile experiences, including real snow from a snow machine. “We transformed functional spaces into immersive environments where customers can experience Moominmamma's world.” says Wang as he clarifies that the created “emotional connection drives organic sharing.”
“We recreated Finnish auroras overhead and glowing river floors.”
Wang Zhiguo, owner of Shenzhen’s Moomin Cafe & James Yang, System Designer and Integrator.
System Designer and Integrator James Yang recalls that “Mr. Wang Zhiguo wanted to pair The Moomins brand with Finnish audio equipment, which aligned perfectly with our philosophy. After I introduced Genelec's brand philosophy to him – particularly its pursuit of high-fidelity, true-to-life sound reproduction – he fully endorsed it.” Yang adds that the spec for the cafe required close attention to three areas, “Firstly, to ensure even sound coverage throughout the store. Secondly, that equipment is compact without compromising the interior design. Thirdly, that sound quality must be exceptional.”
Initially, Yang was uncertain whether the ultra-compact Genelec 4010 loudspeaker, the smallest in the 4000 Series, would provide optimal performance for the installation. “Using the 4010 model with 3-inch drivers, we worried about sound pressure and frequency response. But the actual installation exceeded expectations – with low frequency extension reaching about 67 dB, the overall performance was outstanding. After installation, my concerns proved completely unfounded – the system delivered in full.”
“Customers notice the enhanced audio quality, which elevates our brand perception.”
Delighted with the result, and feedback from captivated customers, Wang speaks proudly of striving for the highest quality in honour of The Moomins brand, saying “Our background music must match premium standards. That's why we chose Genelec – their studio-grade quality raises the entire experience.”
