Mr.Dong: H.C.Andersen Museum – An Account of the ATA Ceremony

After overcoming numerous challenges, particularly visa obstacles, the H.C.Andersen Teacher’s Award ceremony was finally held in the homeland of Andersen’s fairy tales on December 12, 2024.  

Dr. Henrik Harnow, Director of the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, delivered an enthusiastic speech in the museum's Dome Hall, welcoming the delegation of the ATA to Denmark and the museum. He expressed hopes for increased future collaboration.  

Delegation member Ms. Gan Hailu offered white khadas (traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarves) to Benny and Dr. Harnow as tokens of respect.

Four Chinese recipients of the ATA—Hu Hua, Zhao Lanhui, Gao Jianli, and Peng Yusheng—along with representatives of Danish awardees (Mr. Mogens representing Principal Mette, Professor Johannes representing Principal Michael), and Dr. Henrik Harnow (representing Andersen’s parents), received certificates and awards in the museum’s Dome Memorial Hall. The honors were presented by the award’s initiator, Dong Ruixiang, and co-initiator, Mr. Benny.  

Mr. Benny, co-founder of the ATA, former Odense City Council member, and initiator of the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award, shared an inspiring speech. He recounted Andersen’s growth journey and humorously reflected on his own childhood struggles with essay writing. "My Danish grades were poor because I couldn’t meet the word count requirements. So, I filled my essays with Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales—and wrote extensively. From then on, my grades soared." Benny expressed his hope that Andersen’s passion, perseverance, and creativity would inspire more Chinese children through the award’s recipients.  

Awardee representative Ms. Hu Hua gave a heartfelt speech: "I’m thrilled to finally set foot in Andersen’s homeland. People worldwide grow up reading his works. My daughter, granddaughter, and I all cherish his soul-stirring, heartwarming stories. While interpretations vary, humanity shares universal values—fairness, freedom, peace—which I believe we learn from beautiful fairy tales in childhood. I’ve always dreamed of a global village where people live happily ever after. Thank you, Mr. Dong—this award belongs not just to me, but to our team, to life itself, and to the future!"  

Education experts Chu Zhaohui and Huang Shengli, journalists Sun Min and Gan Hailu, and guest Principal Ming Siqing from Zhangjiajie ET Nature’s Child Kindergarten joined the awardees for group photos.  

Co-initiator Benny gifted Dong Ruixiang a necktie identical to his own, declaring, "Dong is my dear brother." 

He also presented Dong with a copy of *Clumsy Hans*. Delighted, Dong accepted it, remarking that he identified with the "clumsy Hans" who pursues dreams and ultimately achieves them.  

The museum then hosted a champagne reception for the delegation. Dong Ruixiang shared a video greeting from educator Sun Yunxiao.  

Dr. Henrik Harnow, on behalf of Andersen’s parents, accepted the ATA certificate.

a ATA commemorative bronze plaque.

donated works: Li Zhenxi’s *100 Languages of Education*

Dong’s manuscript *Let Us Enter the World of Andersen’s Fairy Tales*

Principal Gao Jianli presented Dr. Harnow with a children’s artwork titled *Andersen Family Portrait*

What a wonderful day!