In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Hans Christian Andersen (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875), the Department of English at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong is proud to present a year-long programme celebrating the enduring literary legacy of one of the most influential figures in world literature. Renowned for their imaginative depth and moral resonance, Andersen’s fairy tales continue to captivate readers and inspire scholarly inquiry across cultures and generations.
This academic initiative features a diverse array of scholarly and cultural events—including seminars, radio programmes, and an international conference—designed to foster critical engagement with Andersen’s oeuvre and its relevance to contemporary discourse. The programme explores the thematic richness of Andersen’s work, such as identity, transformation, and resilience, and examines its intersections with poignant narratives, insightful critiques, and innovative reinterpretations of classic texts. These discussions address universal themes including love, compassion, sacrifice, death and immortality, and the complexities of human nature.
Running alongside these events is a territory-wide student competition in creative writing, poetry, illustration, and video storytelling. This initiative invites students to reimagine Andersen’s tales through interdisciplinary and innovative approaches, encouraging creative responses that reflect both personal insight and broader societal concerns. Selected entries have been published in the HSUHK ENG Journal and showcased at the international conference.
Through this multifaceted programme, the Department of English seeks to honour Andersen’s lasting contribution to literature while cultivating a vibrant space for intellectual inquiry, artistic expression, and cross-cultural dialogue.
H.C. Andersen Painting Exhibition
15-30 Dec 2025 (Coming Soon)
Venue: 2/F, Children's Library, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library
Launch of Publication "安徒生的童話世界"
2025 (Coming Soon)
Hong Kong Economic Journal
文學的旋轉門：雙重隱喻與對倒哲學
1 September 2025
Published in the Hong Kong Economic Journal, Dr. Anna Tso offers a comparative literary analysis of The Emperor’s New Clothes, Lady Godiva, and The Little Prince. Through the motifs of nakedness and invisible truths, she examines how literature functions as a revolving door—deconstructing power structures, illuminating moral agency, and challenging the boundaries between appearance and essence. These texts collectively underscore a profound insight: truth is not merely what is seen, but what is perceived through ethical and emotional lenses.
Invited Seminar on "Hong Kong Mermaids" at the Hans Christian Andersen Centre, Denmark
14 August 2025
Dr Anna Tso, Head of the Department of English, was invited by the Hans Christian Andersen Centre at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) to present a guest seminar on her research into The Little Mermaid. Her presentation offered a comparative literary analysis of contemporary retellings of the tale, with a focus on the symbolic resonance of the mermaid archetype. Through this interdisciplinary inquiry, Dr Tso examined how modern narratives reframe themes of femininity, agency, and bodily autonomy, contributing to broader discussions in cultural and gender studies.
The Department of English Launches Inaugural Journal: The Kaleidoscope Chronicle
—A Creative and Scholarly Tribute to Hans Christian Andersen
3 June 2025
The Department of English proudly announces the launch of its inaugural journal issue, The Kaleidoscope Chronicle. This publication marks a significant milestone in our academic and creative journey, coinciding with HSUHK’s 45th anniversary and the 150th year since the passing of Hans Christian Andersen.
Over a year in the making, Kaleidoscope began as a modest collection of student writings and has since evolved into a dynamic showcase of the department’s diverse voices.
This special issue pays tribute to Andersen’s enduring legacy, featuring a wide range of creative works inspired by his fairytales. Readers will find original poetry, short stories, song lyrics from a musical on Andersen, and artworks—many of which were selected from student competitions held earlier this year.
In addition to creative works, Kaleidoscope includes scholarly essays and reviews that explore Andersen’s stories through various critical lenses. Topics include cross-cultural comparisons with Chekhov and Blake, biographical analyzes, symbolic interpretations, and studies of contemporary adaptations. These contributions reflect the department’s commitment to literary scholarship and interdisciplinary inquiry.
The journal is now part of the permanent collection at the Hans Christian Andersen Centre, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and is also available for access at the HSUHK Library. It will be officially registered with ISSN and DOI, providing formal academic recognition. This credential not only enhances the journal’s visibility but also offers valuable support for students pursuing careers in writing, publishing, and research.
Hans Christian Andersen: Life and Afterlife International Conference
22–24 May 2025
Venue: The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
The Hans Christian Andersen: Life and Afterlife International Conference was jointly organised by the School of Humanities and Social Science at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) and the Hans Christian Andersen Centre at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The event was held in collaboration with Hong Kong Shue Yan University and the College of International Education at Hong Kong Baptist University.
The conference brought together nearly 30 distinguished scholars from around the world to explore Andersen’s enduring global influence across literature, film, cultural studies, and digital humanities.
Professor Kwok-kan Tam (Chair Professor and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Science) presented his research on “Worlding and Visuality in Andersen's Tales”, while Dr. Anna Tso (Head of the Department of English) delivered a paper titled “The Mermaid Archetype in 'Jibaro' (2022) and Three Husbands (2017): Two Modern Retellings of H.C. Andersen's The Little Mermaid (1837)”.
Departmental Seminar: H.C. Andersen Series (2 Seminars)
23 April 2025
Time: 12:15pm - 2:15pm
Venue: D404, Lee Quo Wei Academic Building
As part of the university’s ongoing celebration of Hans Christian Andersen’s enduring literary legacy, the Department of English hosted a special seminar series titled “H.C. Andersen Series.” This two-part event featured engaging and thought-provoking sessions led by distinguished guest speakers from Hong Kong Shue Yan University.
Dr. Maria Chan, Senior Lecturer, presented a paper titled “Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Beyond the Childlike Wonder Time.” Her talk explored how Andersen’s stories transcend their whimsical surface to reveal profound emotional and philosophical themes that resonate with both children and adults.
Dr. Kacey Liu, Associate Professor, delivered a presentation entitled “Reimagining Witches: A Comparative Study of Witch Depictions in Modern Chinese Adaptations of Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.” Her analysis examined the evolving portrayal of witches in contemporary Chinese interpretations of the tale, offering fresh insights into cultural reinterpretations of Andersen’s work.
The series highlighted the timeless relevance of Andersen’s storytelling and its rich potential for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exploration.
Radio Programme: 安徒生的童話世界
25 January - 29 March 2025
Produced by RTHK in collaboration with Dr. Anna Tso, Head of the Department of English, this radio series offers a fresh literary re-engagement with Hans Christian Andersen’s most iconic fairy tales, including The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Andersen’s passing in 2025, the series invites audiences to delve into the narrative depth, cultural resonance, and enduring legacy of his storytelling.
The Year of Hans Christian Andersen: Lunch Seminar
22 March 2025
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm
Venue: 1/F, CR103 The Gallery, Creative Humanities Hub, HSUHK
Professor Kwok-kan Tam (Chair Professor and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Science), Dr. Anna Tso (Head of the Department of English) and Dr. Miriam Lau (Hong Kong Baptist University) hosted an engaging lunch seminar as part of the university’s celebration of Hans Christian Andersen’s 150th anniversary. The seminar was divided into three sessions:
• Professor Kwok-kan Tam explored “Andersen’s Legacy”, offering a unique perspective on the enduring cultural and literary influence of the renowned Danish author.
• Dr. Miriam Lau presented “Andersen’s Fairy Tales in Children’s Books of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan”, highlighting the adaptation and reception of Andersen’s works across different Chinese-speaking regions.
• Dr. Anna Tso led “Rereading Andersen in 2025: The Making of a Radio Program on Andersen”, providing a contemporary lens on Andersen’s tales and sharing behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process of producing a radio series dedicated to his legacy, with contributions from invited colleagues.
Creative Writing, Art Exhibition, & Video Story-telling Competitions Award Presentation Ceremony
22 March 2025
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Venue: G/F, CR002 Lecture Hall, G/F, CR001 Martin Ka Shing Lee Innovation Lab, 1/F, CR103 The Gallery, 2/F, CR219 Function Room, Creative Humanities Hub, HSUHK
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the passing of Hans Christian Andersen (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875), celebrated worldwide for his timeless fairy tales, the Department of English at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong launched a series of creative competitions. These included short story writing, poetry writing, art illustration, and video storytelling, inviting participants to reimagine Andersen’s works through diverse artistic forms.
Finalists were invited to take part in a live Q&A session and the Award Presentation Ceremony, held during the School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) Creative Humanities Fest on the morning of 22 March 2025.
The event was open not only to participants but also to their teachers, parents, families, and peers, who joined in celebrating the winners’ achievements. Attendees also enjoyed a lunch seminar on Hans Christian Andersen and a hands-on paper cutting workshop inspired by Andersen’s own creative practices.
Paper Cutting Workshop
22 March 2025
Time: 11:00am-12:30pm
Venue: 2/F, CR219 Function Room, Creative Humanities Hub, HSUHK
As part of the celebration of Hans Christian Andersen’s 150th anniversary, a captivating paper-cutting workshop was held on 22 March 2025, inviting participants to explore the lesser-known artistic side of the beloved fairy tale author.
The workshop brought Andersen’s enchanting world to life through the delicate art of paper-cutting, showcasing the beauty and intricacy of his original paper-cut creations. Attendees learned essential techniques and created their own stunning pieces, discovering the magic that lies within a simple sheet of paper.
The event welcomed students, families, and members of the public to engage with Andersen’s legacy in a hands-on and imaginative way.
Open Call for Competitions
17 December 2024 – 22 March 2025
• Short Story Writing Competition: Embracing the Shadows: Darkness in H.C. Andersen's Fairy Tales
• Poetry Writing Writing Competition: In Memory of Hans Christian Andersen
• Art Competition: H.C. Andersen Art Illustration Award
• Video Story-Telling Competition: When H.C. Andersen Meets UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)