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In the mirror, I seem to have on enormous shimmering pantaloons, visible just for my eyes. Youngsters play in a water feature pretending to be sea nymphs, meanwhile nearby resides a chatting legume in a showcase, alongside a tall pile of mattresses. It represents the domain of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), a leading nineteenth-century's highly cherished authors. I'm visiting this Danish town, located on the island of Fyn in the southern region of the Danish kingdom, to investigate Andersen’s lasting influence in his home town many decades after his passing, and to experience a few enchanted tales of my own.

The Exhibition: H.C. Andersen's House

HC Andersens Hus is the local museum dedicated to the author, incorporating his childhood house. A curator notes that in past designs of the museum there was minimal emphasis on Andersen’s stories. Andersen's biography was explored, but Thumbelina were missing. For guests who visit this place looking for fairytale wonder, it was a little lacking.

The redesign of downtown Odense, rerouting a primary street, provided the opportunity to reconsider how the city’s most famous son could be commemorated. A major architecture competition gave the architects from Japan the Kengo Kuma team the contract, with the museum's fresh perspective at the heart of the layout. The remarkable wood-paneled museum with interlinked spiralling spaces launched to great fanfare in 2021. “We have attempted to create a space where we avoid discussing the writer, but we communicate similarly to Andersen: with humour, satire and perspective,” says the curator. The landscape design embrace this concept: “It’s a garden for strollers and for giants, it’s designed to make you feel small,” he explains, a challenge realized by clever planting, playing with height, proportion and many winding paths in a unexpectedly limited space.

The Writer's Legacy

Andersen wrote two and a half memoirs and frequently contradicted himself. HC Andersens Hus embraces this concept seriously; frequently the views of his companions or excerpts of letters are shown to gently question the his narrative of happenings. “Andersen is the storyteller, but he’s not reliable,” says the representative. The effect is a engaging whirlwind tour of Andersen’s life and work, thought processes and favorite tales. This is thought-provoking and playful, for mature visitors and kids, with a additional lower-level imaginary world, Ville Vau, for the children.

Exploring Odense

Back in the actual city, the compact town of this Danish city is charming, with cobbled streets and historic timber buildings colored in cheerful shades. The author's presence is ubiquitous: the street signals feature the author with his signature formal headwear, metal shoe prints provide a no-cost Andersen walking tour, and there’s a art walk too. Each summer this dedication culminates with the yearly Andersen celebration, which honors the author’s legacy through creativity, performance, drama and music.

This year, the multi-day celebration had 500 shows, most of which were complimentary. While visiting this place, I come across painted stilt-walkers, fantastical beings and an writer impersonator telling stories. I hear empowering poetry and witness an incredible evening show with graceful performers lowering from the municipal structure and hanging from a crane. Still to come this year are presentations, creative sessions for all ages and, broadening the storytelling legacy past the author, the city’s annual Magic Days festival.

Every excellent magical places require a fortress, and the island contains over a hundred manors and manor houses throughout the region

Biking Adventures

Similar to much of the country, bicycles are the ideal method to navigate in the city and a “cycling highway” winds through the downtown area. Starting at my accommodation, I ride to the complimentary port-side aquatic facility, then out of town for a loop around the nearby islet, a tiny landmass joined by a bridge to the mainland. City residents picnic here in the evening, or take pleasure in a tranquil moment catching fish, aquatic activities or bathing.

Returning to Odense, I dine at Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the culinary offerings is inspired by Andersen themes and narratives. The verse the national ode is highlighted at the restaurant, and owner the host shares excerpts, rendered in English, as he presents each course. This is a practice repeated often in my time in Odense, the island inhabitants appreciate narratives and it appears sharing tales is constantly on the menu here.

Castle Explorations

Each wonderful enchanted locations require a castle, and the island contains over a hundred manors and stately homes around the area. Going on excursions from the city, I explore the historic fortress, the region's best-preserved moated palace. Although large sections are open to visitors, Egeskov is also the family home of the noble family and his wife, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I ponder if she would notice a pea through a mound of {mattresses