Most Scandinavians and particular Danes know the name “Daloon” (Great dragon in Chinese). For more than 50 years Daloon has produced spring rolls being the first firm to introduce this special food item for the Danish consumers.
On the 100 year anniversary for the birth of late Mr. Sai-chiu Van, founder of Daloon, he was honoured in Hangzhou, his city of birth, with a biography launched by the Danish ambassador to China Mr. Friis Arne Petersen.
”Mr. Van was a successful Chinese entrepreneur who made good use of his background as well as the education opportunities in Denmark,” The Danish ambassador said in regards to the new biography about Van.
The book named “The Adventure of the Spring Roll”, written by Danish law professor Dr. Ditlev Tamm, tells the story of Mr. Van who came to Denmark in 1935 to study agriculture, but due to the Japanese occupation of China in 1937, World War II and the Chinese revolution never returned to his native country, but instead became a very successful entrepreneur in Denmark and known by all Danes for his TV commercials, where he tell about his childhood in China and with a very charming accent tell the viewers that Daloon spring rolls will please your stomach.
A cultural pioneer
“The rapid development of the Daloon in Denmark has in very concrete economic terms had a very positive impact on the Danish economy. However, I think S.C. Van was not only a business man. He was also a cultural pioneer, and his career and achievements highlight the value of cross-cultural exchange,” said Kjeldsen, First Secretary at the Danish Embassy, at the launch.
Mr. Mads Kjeldsen participated in the book launch event along with Ms. Lissen Stokholm, daughter of S.C. Van and chairman of the board at the S.C. Van Foundation. Hangzhou-relatives of the late Mr. Van were also present.
The event was arranged by the S.C. Van Foundation, the Municipal Office of Overseas Chinese Affairs and Zhejiang People’s Publishing House.
As part of the celebration Mr. Shao Zhanwei the Mayor of Hangzhou, hosted a dinner Wednesday the 10th of October where the Danish ambassador Mr. Petersen, the author of the biography Mr. Tamn and chairman of the S.C. Van Foundation Ms. Stokholm participated as honoured guests.
