...Hans Christian Andersen’s first publication
Hans Christian Andersen had his first book published when he was only 17 years old. Youthful Attemps (Ungdoms-Forsøg) was published in 1822 under the pseudonym Villiam Christian Walter. The poet took the name 'Villiam' after William Shakespeare, 'Christian' after himself and 'Walter' after Walter Scott. In the autobiography The Fairy Tale of My Life (Mit Livs Eventyr) Hans Christian Andersen writes about Youthful Attemps:
"...was published unchanged with a pen-name, I had made one for myself, which at first glance seems to show enormous vanity, and yet was not so, but far more the love a child can possess and consequently name its doll after the person it is most fond of. I loved William Shakespeare and Walter Scott, and I naturally also loved myself, so I took my name, Christian, and that gave me my pseudonym William Christian Walter."
...Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales
are translated into languages as Nepalese, Turcoman, and Urdu.
The Work
The exhibition in “The Work” testifies to the widespread nature of the works of the writer of fairytales – both before and after his death.
"The Work" - the library in The Hans Christian Andersen Museum
Hans Christian Andersen is the author who has been translated into most languages in the world. Until now the museum has registered translations into about 160 languages and still new languages are added. "The Work" holds the library in H.C. Andersen Museum and gives an impression of the widespread nature of the works of the writer of fairytales - both before and after his death.
Extension map in the library
On the world map in the impressive library you can see a list of the languages into which Hans Christian Andersen's works have been translated. The library itself boasts of more than 130 language variants, and on the information stands in the library you can see and study the many different language versions as well as find out where these various languages are spoken with the aid of touch-sensitive screens. A large number of other books are also on exhibition in the library. The author has made handwritten inscriptions in some of the books, others are distinctive because of their curio value or their fine illustrations and bindings. Those books where H.C. Andersen has written a greeting to the receiver are also called courtesy copies. You can see some of these courtesy copies and fairytales in many languages under related links.