Tan Twan Eng novel sparks cultural exchange between Malaysia and Bulgaria

The Star

2 days ago

Tan's 'The House Of Doors' explores love and betrayal under the shadow of Empire. The book, longlisted for the Booker Prize 2023, has been translated into multiple languages, including Bulgarian. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
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 led to the recent 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.
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 event sets a meaningful precedent for literary diplomacy and cross-cultural dialogue for both our countries.
"It is our hope that more works from Malaysian authors will continue to reach readers not only in Malaysia, Finland, and Bulgaria, but also the wider European and global literary landscape,' a statement from the embassy said.
The event also underscored the transformative role of translation in cultural exchange.
The Bulgarian edition of The House Of Doors, which was translated by Petja Petkova, was praised for preserving the quiet elegance of Tan's prose.
"Participants noted that translation is more than a linguistic act-it is a reimagining that bridges borders while staying true to the heart of a story,' the statement said.
At the event, Tan - in a pre-recorded message that was both candid and enlightening - shared his reflections on writing, characterisation, and inspiration.
He spoke about the quiet power of literature in bridging cultures.
"Literature is an extremely powerful tool in diplomacy, with so much potential; but alas, it is so underused and its value so under-appreciated,' said Tan. - Bernama