The journey to launch the English Department’s inaugural journal issue has spanned over a year, evolving from a simple collection of student writings to a comprehensive showcase of our department’s diverse achievements. The preparation for this journal publication has sparked lively discussions around our title, Kaleidoscope, which symbolises the vibrant blend of voices within our community. The term “kaleidoscope” reflects the rich variety of contributions from students and faculty alike, capturing both creative and analytical expressions.

We are excited to present this first issue in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen’s passing during the 45th anniversary of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong in 2025. Andersen’s narratives, rich with whimsy, depth, and moral complexity, have captivated readers for generations, providing ample material for reinterpretation. Inside this special issue, you will find an array of genres including poetry, song(s) and lyrics, short stories, and artworks, all inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales. The song and lyrics are written for the musical on H.C. Andersen, whereas the poetry, short stories, and artworks are students’ works shortlisted in the series of creative competitions held by the Department of English in early 2025. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Kwok-kan Tam, Dr. Amy Kong, Dr. Miguel Lizada, Ms. Sophina Chu, Ms. Claire Zhou, Ms Regina Zeng, and Ms. Kitty Kong for their invaluable assistance in selecting the poems, short stories, and art illustrations featured in this issue. Your contributions have greatly enriched our publication.

This special issue also features students’ essays and reviews that analyze Andersen’s fairytale interpretations, some of which include a cross-cultural comparative study of Andersen, Chekhov, and Blake; employ a biographical approach to study H.C. Andersen; explore the symbolic meanings in Andersen’s tales; and examine how adaptations breathe new life into familiar stories while reflecting contemporary themes, cultural shifts, and artistic innovations. Engaging with a variety of perspectives – such as literary analysis, cultural studies, narrative theory, and comparative literature – these contributions offer a rich landscape for literary exploration. We are especially grateful to Dr. Jay Parker and Dr Heidi Wong who serve as peer reviewers for the journal issue. Their guidance and expertise have been invaluable in shaping this collection.

Readers can expect to encounter poignant narratives, insightful critiques, and innovative interpretations of classic texts, all addressing universal themes such as love, compassion, sacrifice, death and immortality, and human nature. We hope you enjoy this collection as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to life.

Anna Tso
April 2025