Hans Christian Andersen: Life and Afterlife International Conference

From May 22–24, 2025, the Hans Christian Andersen: Life and Afterlife International Conference brought together scholars and researchers from around the world to explore the works, legacy, and reinterpretations of Hans Christian Andersen. Held at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, the conference provided a valuable platform for academic exchange, with our department’s members actively contributing to its success.

Dr. Kacey Liu and Dr. Maria Chan, as Co-Investigators of an Inter-Institutional Development Scheme (IIDS) project, participated in the conference and contributed thought-provoking presentations.

Dr. Kacey Liu presented her paper titled Revisiting Witch Stereotypes: An Examination of Modern Chinese Adaptations of Andersen's The Little Mermaid, which analyzed how modern adaptations have reimagined witch characters in contemporary Chinese storytelling.

Dr. Maria Chan presented on Subtlety vs Critique: Allegories in the Works of Hans Christian Andersen and Lu Xun, drawing compelling parallels between the allegorical storytelling of the Danish author and the Chinese writer Lu Xun.

In addition to their presentations, Dr. Liu and Dr. Chan were actively involved in the conference as moderators, facilitating discussions in various sessions.

In preparation for the conference, Dr. Kacey Liu and Dr. Maria Chan were invited to hold a pre-conference seminar on April 23, 2025, at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.

The seminar concluded with a lively Q&A session, where both speakers engaged with participants on various aspects of their research.

The Hans Christian Andersen: Life and Afterlife International Conference provided a platform for fruitful scholarly exchange and an opportunity to deepen understanding of Andersen’s literary legacy and its global impact. Dr. Liu and Dr. Chan were honored to represent their department and look forward to participating in similar events in the future.