The Hans Christian Andersen Award Committee has announced three winners of this year’s global Hans Christian Andersen Award, including Vietnam’s renowned children’s book translator Tran Thi Minh Tam.

The awarding ceremony will be held on April 3 in the celebrated Danish poet’s native town of Odense.

Translator Tran Thi Minh Tam

Tam has translated Hans Christian Andersen fairytales for Vietnamese children and after 20 years with the work, in 2003, she published 88 Andersen fairytales, then later, it was updated to 100 fairytales. The book has been re-printed 16 times and the latest edition will be published this year.

Besides Tam, the two other award-winners are Dr. Phil. Klaus Müller-Wille from Switzerland for his groundbreaking studies on the material aesthetics of Hans Christian Andersen and singer/composer Sebastian from Denmark for his interpretations of Hans Christian Andersen for the Danish musical scene.

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is presented annually in recognition of contributions to promoting and spreading further knowledge of the Danish national poet worldwide.

Since 1996, the award has been granted to 44 individuals and organisations from 12 countries. Tran Thi Minh Tam is the first Vietnamese to win the award.