🔗 Share this article

Reflected back at me, I can see myself in enormous golden pantaloons, perceptible just for my eyes. Youngsters play in a stone basin pretending to be ocean creatures, and adjacent rests a speaking vegetable in a showcase, alongside a tall pile of cushions. This is the domain of the beloved author (1805-1875), a leading nineteenth-century's most beloved storytellers. I find myself in the city of Odense, located on the island of Fyn in the southern part of this Nordic country, to investigate the writer's timeless impact in his birthplace many decades after his death, and to find a few magical stories of my own.

The Exhibition: HC Andersens Hus

HC Andersens Hus is the local exhibition space honoring the storyteller, including his childhood house. A museum representative notes that in previous versions of the museum there was little focus on his fairytales. The writer’s life was studied, but The Little Mermaid were nowhere to be found. For visitors who visit this place seeking narrative enchantment, it was not quite enough.

The redesign of downtown Odense, rerouting a main thoroughfare, created the chance to rethink how the renowned native could be commemorated. An international design contest granted the Japanese company the renowned designers the project, with the innovative curatorial vision at the heart of the structure. The distinctive wood-paneled museum with interlinked spiralling spaces debuted to significant attention in 2021. “Our goal was to build a place where we don’t talk about Andersen, but we communicate similarly to the storyteller: with wit, irony and viewpoint,” explains the expert. Even the gardens take this approach: “The outdoor area for strollers and for colossal creatures, it’s designed to give you a sense of smallness,” he explains, a goal realized by strategic landscaping, manipulating elevation, scale and numerous twisting trails in a deceptively small space.

The Author's Influence

The author penned two and a half autobiographies and regularly provided conflicting accounts. The museum embraces this concept to heart; frequently the views of his acquaintances or excerpts of letters are presented to subtly challenge the writer's personal account of incidents. “Andersen is the guide, but his account isn't always accurate,” notes the representative. The outcome is a compelling rapid journey of Andersen’s life and work, thinking patterns and best-loved stories. This is provocative and playful, for grown-ups and youngsters, with a additional lower-level fantasy realm, the pretend town, for the smallest guests.

Visiting the Town

Back in the actual city, the compact town of the municipality is delightful, with cobbled streets and historic timber buildings finished in vibrant hues. The author's presence is ubiquitous: the road indicators show the storyteller with his signature characteristic hat, bronze footmarks provide a complimentary Andersen walking tour, and there’s a art walk too. Each summer this dedication peaks with the yearly Andersen celebration, which celebrates the his influence through creativity, movement, stage shows and musical performances.

This year, the week-long celebration had 500 shows, many were without charge. As I explore the city, I meet artistic acrobats, ghoulish monsters and an author double narrating adventures. I experience empowering poetry and observe an amazing nocturnal display with athletic artists descending from the municipal structure and suspended from a crane. Future activities this year are lectures, hands-on activities and, extending the storytelling legacy beyond Andersen, the city’s yearly Magic Days festival.

Every excellent magical places need a castle, and this region contains over a hundred manors and manor houses around the area

Cycling and Exploration

Similar to most of Denmark, cycles are the perfect means to get about in the city and a “bicycle route” meanders through the downtown area. From my accommodation, I cycle to the public harbour-side swimming pool, then beyond the city for a loop around Stige Island, a tiny landmass linked by a road to the primary land. Town dwellers have outdoor meals here in the evening, or appreciate a peaceful time angling, water sports or bathing.

In Odense, I visit Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the menu is inspired by author-inspired concepts and narratives. The poem the patriotic piece is highlighted when I visit, and manager the host shares excerpts, presented in English, as he introduces the meal. Such encounters repeated often in my time in Odense, the fynbo enjoy storytelling and it appears sharing tales is continuously offered here.

Manor House Visits

All good enchanted locations require a castle, and the island boasts numerous historic homes and stately homes around the area. Traveling briefly from town, I explore Egeskov Castle, Europe’s most intact historic fortress. Although large sections are open to visitors, this historic site is also the private residence of the noble family and his spouse, the princess. I wonder if she might sense a tiny vegetable through a mound of {mattresses