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In the mirror, I seem to have on oversized golden pantaloons, visible only to me. Kids relax in a rock pool imitating mermaids, while adjacent sits a chatting legume in a exhibition box, beside a towering mound of cushions. It embodies the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), one of the 19th century’s most beloved writers. I’m in the city of Odense, on the island of the island of Fyn in the southern region of Denmark, to investigate Andersen’s enduring legacy in his home town many decades after his demise, and to find a few enchanted tales of my own.

The Museum: HC Andersens Hus

Andersen's House is the city’s exhibition space honoring the author, including his first home. A curator explains that in previous versions of the museum there was little focus on his fairytales. Andersen's biography was examined, but Thumbelina were nowhere to be found. For visitors who travel to Odense seeking storytelling magic, it was somewhat disappointing.

The renovation of the city center, rerouting a primary street, provided the opportunity to rethink how the local celebrity could be celebrated. A prestigious architectural challenge gave the Japanese company the renowned designers the contract, with the curators’ new approach at the center of the structure. The remarkable wooden museum with interlinked spiralling spaces debuted to great fanfare in 2021. “Our goal was to create a space where we avoid discussing the author, but we talk like the storyteller: with comedy, irony and viewpoint,” explains the expert. The outdoor spaces embrace this concept: “It’s a garden for explorers and for colossal creatures, it's planned to make you feel small,” he explains, a challenge accomplished by strategic landscaping, manipulating height, size and numerous twisting trails in a unexpectedly limited space.

The Author's Influence

The author penned two and a half personal accounts and frequently changed his story. The exhibition takes this approach seriously; typically the opinions of his friends or excerpts of letters are presented to subtly challenge the writer's personal account of happenings. “The writer is the storyteller, but he's untrustworthy,” explains the expert. The result is a engaging whirlwind tour of his personal story and art, thinking patterns and most popular stories. It’s thought-provoking and playful, for adults and children, with a extra lower-level imaginary world, the pretend town, for the youngest visitors.

Discovering the City

In the real world, the compact town of the municipality is delightful, with cobbled streets and historic timber buildings colored in vibrant hues. The writer's influence is everywhere: the traffic lights feature the author with his distinctive top hat, metal shoe prints offer a complimentary pedestrian route, and there’s a outdoor exhibition too. Each summer this focus peaks with the annual Andersen celebration, which celebrates the his influence through creativity, movement, theatre and musical performances.

This year, the week-long festival had numerous performances, most of which were complimentary. While visiting this place, I meet painted stilt-walkers, fantastical beings and an writer impersonator sharing tales. I experience feminist spoken-word pieces and witness an remarkable nocturnal display featuring graceful performers descending from the town hall and suspended from a construction equipment. Upcoming events this year are presentations, creative sessions for all ages and, expanding the storytelling legacy past the author, the city’s annual wonder event.

Each wonderful fairytale destinations deserve a fortress, and this region boasts over a hundred manors and stately homes across the island

Biking Adventures

Similar to other Danish regions, bikes are the perfect means to get about in this town and a “bicycle route” meanders through the city centre. From my accommodation, I pedal to the public waterside bathing area, then out of town for a circuit around the nearby islet, a compact territory connected by causeway to the mainland. Local inhabitants picnic here after work, or enjoy a tranquil moment catching fish, water sports or bathing.

In the city, I visit Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the food selection is inspired by the writer's motifs and narratives. The literary work the national ode is featured during my meal, and manager the host shares excerpts, rendered in English, as he serves every dish. Such encounters frequent in my visit, the local residents love a yarn and it seems that narrating is constantly available here.

Castle Explorations

Every excellent magical places require a fortress, and this region features over a hundred manors and manor houses throughout the region. Taking day trips from town, I visit Egeskov Palace, the continent's finely maintained moated palace. While much of it are accessible to the public, this historic site is also the personal dwelling of the aristocratic owners and his wife, the princess. I contemplate if she can feel a small legume through a pile of {mattresses