Tan Twan Eng Novel Ignites Malaysia–Bulgaria Cultural Dialogue
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian novel has inspired a new chapter in cultural diplomacy between Malaysia and Bulgaria.
A Bulgarian translation of The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng has been discovered by the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Finland, Nina Angelova Simova. The discovery has led to the inaugural Malaysia–Bulgaria Literary Diplomacy Dialogue in Helsinki.
The event, hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia in Helsinki and moderated by Chargé d'Affaires Ariff Ali, brought together Malaysian, Bulgarian, and Finnish readers from fields such as literature, creative writing, art, and international relations.
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Tan, a Malaysian author widely celebrated for his elegant prose and historical depth, gained international acclaim when his earlier novel The Garden of Evening Mists was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Walter Scott Prize; the novel is now also being translated into Bulgarian.
The dialogue revolved around Tan's acclaimed work, sparking thoughtful reflections on identity, colonialism, gender, memory, and the quiet yet enduring power of storytelling.
At the event, Simova presented her review of the novel.
Simova, whose academic background is in literary studies, offered both personal and analytical insights.
She explored the novel's layered narrative and how it reflects memory and consciousness; weaving in themes of symbolism, colonial legacy, identity, ethics, and orientalism.
'This landmark event sets a meaningful precedent for literary diplomacy and cross-cultural dialogue for both our countries.
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