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Reflected back at me, I appear to be wearing enormous golden pantaloons, perceptible just for my eyes. Youngsters play in a water feature acting as sea nymphs, while in the next room resides a chatting legume in a showcase, beside a imposing pile of bedding. It represents the universe of H.C. Andersen (1805-1875), one of the 1800s highly cherished writers. I’m in this Danish town, located on the island of Fyn in the southern region of this Nordic country, to investigate Andersen’s enduring legacy in his birthplace many decades after his passing, and to find a handful of fairytales of my own.

The Exhibition: H.C. Andersen's House

HC Andersens Hus is the local exhibition space honoring the writer, featuring his first home. A curator notes that in past designs of the museum there was scant attention on his fairytales. His personal history was studied, but The Little Mermaid were missing. For guests who visit Odense looking for narrative enchantment, it was not quite enough.

The redesign of downtown Odense, rerouting a primary street, provided the opportunity to reconsider how the local celebrity could be honored. An international design contest awarded the Japanese company the renowned designers the project, with the innovative curatorial vision at the heart of the design. The distinctive timber-clad museum with interwoven spiral spaces launched to significant attention in 2021. “We have attempted to design an environment where we avoid discussing the author, but we talk like the storyteller: with comedy, sarcasm and outlook,” notes the expert. The outdoor spaces follow this philosophy: “The outdoor area for wanderers and for large beings, it's created to make you feel small,” he says, an objective realized by strategic landscaping, experimenting with elevation, proportion and multiple meandering routes in a surprisingly compact space.

The Author's Influence

The author penned two and a half autobiographies and regularly contradicted himself. The exhibition takes this approach fully; often the views of his friends or fragments of correspondence are presented to politely doubt the his narrative of happenings. “The writer is the storyteller, but his account isn't always accurate,” notes the expert. The result is a compelling rapid journey of his personal story and work, thinking patterns and most popular narratives. It’s thought-provoking and playful, for mature visitors and children, with a additional basement imaginary world, Ville Vau, for the youngest visitors.

Visiting the Town

Back in the actual city, the compact town of the municipality is charming, with historic pathways and historic timber buildings colored in bright colours. The writer's influence is everywhere: the road indicators display the author with his signature formal headwear, brass footprints give a no-cost Andersen walking tour, and there’s a sculpture trail too. Each summer this commitment peaks with the annual Andersen celebration, which marks the his influence through art, dance, stage shows and musical performances.

During my visit, the week-long festival had numerous performances, many were complimentary. As I explore this place, I encounter artistic acrobats, spooky creatures and an writer impersonator sharing tales. I listen to contemporary performances and see an remarkable evening show including acrobatic dancers coming down from the town hall and dangling from a mechanical arm. Still to come in the coming months are presentations, creative sessions for all ages and, extending the oral history past the author, the city’s regular enchantment celebration.

Every excellent magical places require a palace, and the island boasts 123 castles and manor houses throughout the region

Cycling and Exploration

Similar to most of Denmark, bikes are the best way to get about in this town and a “bicycle route” winds through the city centre. Departing from Hotel Odeon, I ride to the complimentary port-side aquatic facility, then into the countryside for a route around the nearby islet, a small island joined by a bridge to the primary land. Town dwellers relax with food here in the evening, or appreciate a quiet hour fishing, water sports or bathing.

In town, I eat at Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the culinary offerings is inspired by the writer's motifs and tales. The poem the national ode is highlighted during my meal, and manager the host reads extracts, rendered in English, as he presents each course. This is a practice repeated often in my visit, the local residents enjoy storytelling and it seems that sharing tales is constantly available here.

Castle Explorations

All good magical places deserve a castle, and the island contains 123 castles and stately homes throughout the region. Going on excursions from the city, I tour the historic fortress, the region's most intact moated palace. While much of it are available for tours, the castle is also the personal dwelling of the noble family and his wife, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I contemplate if she would notice a small legume through a stack of {mattresses