One such door opened in Helsinki, thanks to the Embassy of Malaysia and a novel that continues to resonate across cultures. The House of Doors by renowned Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng—discovered in its Bulgarian translation by H.E. Nina Angelova Simova, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Finland—inspired the first-ever Malaysia – Bulgaria Literary Diplomacy Dialogue.
Organised by the Embassy of Malaysia in Helsinki and moderated by Chargé d’Affaires Ariff Ali, the event gathered Malaysian, Bulgarian, and Finnish readers from a spectrum of fields: literature, creative writing, art, and international relations. The discussion revolved around Tan’s acclaimed novel, sparking reflections on identity, colonialism, gender, memory, and the subtle yet profound influence of storytelling.
We were honoured by the presence of Ambassador Simova, whose academic background in literary studies brought exceptional depth to the dialogue. Her review of the novel—translated into Bulgarian by Petja Petkova — 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.
Participants discussed W. Somerset Maugham’s literary legacy, Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary ties to Penang, and the interplay between personal histories and broader questions of who shapes national narratives.
A highlight of the event was a recorded message from Mr. Tan Twan Eng himself, responding to audience-submitted questions. His reflections on writing, characterisation, and inspiration were candid and enlightening. He also spoke about the quiet power of literature in bridging cultures:
“Literature is an extremely powerful tool in diplomacy with so much potential, but alas is so underused and its value so underappreciated.”
The event underscored the transformative role of translation in cultural exchange. The Bulgarian edition of The House of Doors 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. Encouragingly, Tan’s earlier novel, The Garden of Evening Mists, is also being translated into Bulgarian, a sign of the growing international appreciation for Malaysian literature.
Although a Finnish translation of The House of Doors has yet to emerge, Finnish readers are discovering the novel through its English edition—available, thanks to Helsinki’s Oodi Library. The literary blog Kirjaluotsi has also brought local attention to the book with a thoughtful review.
This landmark 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 across not only in Malaysia, Finland, Bulgaria, but also the wider European and global literary landscape.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
