Andersen's fairy tales continue to enthrall Vietnamese readers

(VNF) – An interactive programme themed “The magical world of Hans Christian Andersen” was held on May 6 in the French Institute (Ha Noi), on occasion of the debut of the latest collection of the renowned Danish author's tales published by Kim Dong Publishing House.

The event was organized by Kim Dong Publishing House, in coordination with the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam and the book-reading club “Reading with your kids”.

The latest collection of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales published by Kim Dong publishing house (photo: Phi Yen)

Addressing the opening ceremony of the event, cultural counselor of the Danish Embassy, Ane Kirsten Andersen, affirmed the long-standing value of Andersen tales throughout two centuries, and noted that nowadays, the author's masterpieces have become available for readers of 160 languages worldwide.

“And who know, maybe today, right now, there are children somewhere else in the world reading Andersen's fairy tales in their own languages. Not in Vietnamese, not in Danish, but maybe in Hindi or Russian, which is very interesting” she said.

Danish Embassy's Culture Counsellor, Ane Kirsten Andersen addresses the opening ceremony (photo: Phi Yen)

According to the Danish diplomat, the love for Andersen tales has created a strong bond connecting readers around the globe, and revealed a fact that she, herself was a fan of Andersen tales.

“In my family’s home in Denmark, my parents have the whole collection of Hans Andersen’s fairy tales, a big pile of books,” she said.

General Director of Kim Dong Publishing House, Do Minh Nguyet, said, in addition to 50 stories which have been familiar to Vietnamese readers, the newly-published Andersen collection included more than other 30 stories written by the brilliant author, which are first time introduced to readers.

“I hope that our little readers will read again the stories of Andersen when they grow up, and I am sure that they will find the new meaning in the old stories.” she said.

At the event, the participants, mostly children, under the instruction of Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh, President of the “Reading books with your kids” club, took part in various interactive activities and quizz, to review Andersen's fairy tales' names, gain insights of his story outline building, his use of words, etc.

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh (R) gives guidance to young readers in an interactive activity (photo: Phi Yen)

Hans Christian Andersen's tales have become a shared corner in many Vietnamese readers’s childhood memories, a corner that transcends the generation gap. "The Little Mermaid", "The Princess and the little bean", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Emperor's New Suit" are among the stories that have been an indispensible part of many kids' life, and keep accompanying them on their maturing journey.

The latest publication by Kim Dong Publishing House introduced to readers the Andersen's tales version translated by Tran Minh Tam, who was honored with the Hans Christian Andersen Award 2018

According to scholar Huu Ngoc, former president of the Vietnam – Danmark Cultural Foundation, this is the most complete version, which able to retain most of the spirit of the original version in Danish./.

( Phi Yen )