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Looking at my reflection, I can see myself in enormous golden pantaloons, perceptible only to me. Youngsters play in a rock pool imitating mermaids, while adjacent sits a speaking vegetable in a display case, beside a towering stack of mattresses. It embodies the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), one of the 19th century’s highly cherished storytellers. I find myself in Odense, on the island of the island of Fyn in the southern region of the Danish kingdom, to explore the author's timeless impact in his home town 150 years after his passing, and to experience a handful of magical stories of my own.

The Museum: The Andersen Museum

HC Andersens Hus is the city’s exhibition space celebrating the author, incorporating his childhood house. A museum representative states that in past designs of the museum there was scant attention on his fairytales. Andersen's biography was studied, but Thumbelina were missing. For tourists who travel to Odense in search of storytelling magic, it was not quite enough.

The renovation of downtown Odense, diverting a primary street, made it possible to reimagine how the local celebrity could be commemorated. An international design contest awarded the Japanese company the Kengo Kuma team the project, with the museum's fresh perspective at the center of the design. The remarkable wood-paneled museum with interwoven curving spaces launched to significant attention in 2021. “We’ve tried to design an environment where we move beyond simply describing Andersen, but we speak in the manner of him: with humour, satire and viewpoint,” notes the representative. Even the gardens take this approach: “This is a landscape for strollers and for colossal creatures, it’s designed to give you a sense of smallness,” he explains, an objective accomplished by thoughtful gardening, experimenting with height, scale and many winding paths in a surprisingly compact space.

Andersen's Impact

Andersen wrote several autobiographies and frequently changed his story. The museum embraces this concept to heart; frequently the views of his companions or fragments of letters are displayed to politely doubt the author’s own version of events. “The writer is the narrator, but his account isn't always accurate,” says the expert. The effect is a fascinating whirlwind tour of his personal story and creations, mental approaches and best-loved stories. It’s stimulating and playful, for grown-ups and kids, with a additional lower-level imaginary world, Ville Vau, for the smallest guests.

Exploring Odense

Back in the physical town, the modest urban center of this Danish city is delightful, with stone-paved roads and historic timber buildings finished in vibrant hues. The writer's influence is all around: the road indicators show the writer with his iconic characteristic hat, brass footprints give a no-cost guided stroll, and there’s a art walk too. Each summer this dedication peaks with the yearly HC Andersen festival, which celebrates the writer's impact through creativity, movement, drama and music.

During my visit, the week-long celebration had numerous performances, most of which were free. During my time in the city, I encounter artistic acrobats, spooky creatures and an author double telling stories. I listen to contemporary performances and see an incredible late-night performance featuring athletic artists descending from the municipal structure and suspended from a mechanical arm. Upcoming events in the coming months are talks, hands-on activities and, expanding the narrative tradition beyond Andersen, the city’s annual Magic Days festival.

Each wonderful fairytale destinations deserve a fortress, and the island contains over a hundred manors and manor houses around the area

Cycling and Exploration

Like most of Denmark, bicycles are the best way to navigate in the city and a “bike path” curves through the downtown area. Starting at the local hotel, I pedal to the complimentary port-side aquatic facility, then out of town for a circuit around Stige Ø, a small island linked by a road to the larger island. Town dwellers have outdoor meals here in the evening, or enjoy a tranquil moment catching fish, aquatic activities or bathing.

Returning to Odense, I visit the themed restaurant, where the food selection is inspired by the writer's motifs and narratives. The verse the patriotic piece appears during my meal, and owner the host recites passages, rendered in English, as he serves every dish. Such encounters commonplace in my time in Odense, the local residents enjoy storytelling and it feels as though storytelling is always offered here.

Castle Explorations

Every excellent enchanted locations deserve a fortress, and the island features over a hundred manors and estates throughout the region. Taking day trips from Odense, I tour Egeskov Palace, the region's finely maintained Renaissance water castle. While much of it are accessible to the public, Egeskov is also the personal dwelling of the noble family and his spouse, the princess. I ponder if she might sense a pea through a stack of {mattresses