🔗 Share this article

Reflected back at me, I seem to have on oversized gilded pantaloons, seen just for my eyes. Youngsters relax in a water feature pretending to be mermaids, while in the next room sits a chatting legume in a display case, next to a towering pile of mattresses. It represents the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), one of the nineteenth-century's most beloved storytellers. I find myself in the city of Odense, situated in Fyn in the southern region of Denmark, to explore the author's lasting influence in his birthplace many decades after his death, and to find a few enchanted tales of my own.

The Exhibition: HC Andersens Hus

The H.C. Andersen Museum is the town's museum honoring the author, including his original residence. An expert states that in previous versions of the museum there was scant attention on the author's tales. Andersen's biography was explored, but The Little Mermaid were absent. For visitors who travel to this place in search of storytelling magic, it was somewhat disappointing.

The redevelopment of downtown Odense, diverting a major road, created the chance to reimagine how the renowned native could be commemorated. An international design contest granted the Japanese company Kengo Kuma and Associates the commission, with the curators’ new approach at the center of the layout. The unique wood-paneled museum with connected spiralling spaces launched to significant attention in 2021. “We have attempted to design an environment where we move beyond simply describing Andersen, but we communicate similarly to him: with wit, sarcasm and outlook,” explains the expert. The outdoor spaces follow this philosophy: “The outdoor area for strollers and for colossal creatures, it's created to give you a sense of smallness,” he notes, a goal achieved by clever planting, experimenting with verticality, size and multiple meandering routes in a surprisingly compact space.

The Author's Influence

The author penned several memoirs and often contradicted himself. HC Andersens Hus embraces this concept fully; frequently the perspectives of his friends or snippets of letters are shown to politely doubt the author’s own version of incidents. “The author is the storyteller, but he's untrustworthy,” notes the representative. The outcome is a engaging whirlwind tour of Andersen’s life and creations, thought processes and favorite tales. This is thought-provoking and whimsical, for grown-ups and children, with a extra lower-level make-believe land, Ville Vau, for the children.

Visiting the Town

Returning to the physical town, the modest urban center of this Danish city is delightful, with stone-paved roads and traditional Danish homes finished in bright colours. The Andersen legacy is all around: the road indicators show the author with his distinctive characteristic hat, metal shoe prints provide a complimentary guided stroll, and there’s a outdoor exhibition too. Annually in August this focus reaches its height with the yearly Andersen celebration, which celebrates the author’s legacy through creativity, movement, drama and music.

Recently, the seven-day celebration had 500 shows, many were complimentary. During my time in the city, I meet artistic acrobats, fantastical beings and an Andersen lookalike telling stories. I listen to feminist spoken-word pieces and observe an remarkable late-night performance with athletic artists descending from the municipal structure and suspended from a mechanical arm. Still to come in the coming months are talks, creative sessions for all ages and, extending the narrative tradition further than the writer, the city’s annual wonder event.

Each wonderful magical places need a fortress, and the island boasts 123 castles and manor houses throughout the region

Biking Adventures

Like other Danish regions, cycles are the ideal method to navigate in the city and a “bicycle route” meanders through the urban core. From Hotel Odeon, I ride to the free waterside bathing area, then out of town for a route around Stige Ø, a compact territory joined by a bridge to the larger island. City residents relax with food here in the evening, or take pleasure in a quiet hour fishing, aquatic activities or swimming.

In the city, I visit Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the culinary offerings is derived from Andersen themes and stories. The poem Denmark, My Native Land is highlighted when I visit, and owner the host recites passages, presented in English, as he presents each course. This is a practice frequent in my time in Odense, the local residents enjoy storytelling and it feels as though narrating is always available here.

Manor House Visits

Each wonderful fairytale destinations require a palace, and the island features numerous historic homes and manor houses throughout the region. Traveling briefly from town, I tour the historic fortress, Europe’s most intact Renaissance water castle. Although large sections are available for tours, this historic site is also the private residence of the aristocratic owners and his wife, the princess. I wonder if she can feel a small legume through a pile of {mattresses