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Reflected back at me, I appear to be wearing oversized golden pantaloons, visible exclusively in my view. Youngsters play in a rock pool pretending to be ocean creatures, meanwhile in the next room rests a talking pea in a exhibition box, beside a tall pile of cushions. It represents the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), among the 19th century’s widely adored authors. I’m in the city of Odense, on the island of Funen in the south of the Danish kingdom, to explore Andersen’s lasting influence in his home town 150 years after his demise, and to discover a couple of enchanted tales of my own.

The Museum: HC Andersens Hus

HC Andersens Hus is the town's exhibition space dedicated to the author, incorporating his first home. A museum representative notes that in past designs of the museum there was little focus on his fairytales. His personal history was studied, but The Little Mermaid were absent. For visitors who visit Odense looking for fairytale wonder, it was not quite enough.

The redesign of the city center, rerouting a major road, provided the opportunity to rethink how the city’s most famous son could be honored. An international design contest awarded the Japanese company the renowned designers the commission, with the museum's fresh perspective at the core of the structure. The unique wooden museum with connected curving spaces launched to much acclaim in 2021. “Our goal was to create a space where we don’t talk about Andersen, but we communicate similarly to him: with comedy, irony and outlook,” explains the expert. Even the gardens embrace this concept: “This is a landscape for strollers and for large beings, it's planned to give you a sense of smallness,” he says, a challenge achieved by strategic landscaping, experimenting with verticality, proportion and multiple meandering routes in a deceptively small space.

Andersen's Impact

The author penned multiple personal accounts and frequently provided conflicting accounts. HC Andersens Hus adopts this philosophy seriously; frequently the perspectives of his companions or fragments of letters are displayed to subtly challenge the author’s own version of incidents. “The writer is the guide, but his account isn't always accurate,” notes the representative. The effect is a engaging whirlwind tour of his personal story and creations, mental approaches and best-loved tales. This is stimulating and whimsical, for mature visitors and youngsters, with a additional underground imaginary world, the pretend town, for the children.

Visiting the Town

Returning to the physical town, the small city of the municipality is delightful, with historic pathways and traditional Danish homes painted in cheerful shades. The Andersen legacy is ubiquitous: the traffic lights display the writer with his iconic characteristic hat, metal shoe prints give a free pedestrian route, and there’s a sculpture trail too. Annually in August this dedication peaks with the yearly storytelling event, which honors the writer's impact through art, dance, theatre and music.

This year, the multi-day festival had numerous performances, most of which were without charge. While visiting Odense, I encounter painted stilt-walkers, ghoulish monsters and an Andersen lookalike narrating adventures. I experience contemporary performances and see an remarkable late-night performance with graceful performers coming down from the municipal structure and suspended from a crane. Upcoming events during the season are lectures, family art workshops and, expanding the oral history beyond Andersen, the city’s yearly enchantment celebration.

Every excellent fairytale destinations require a fortress, and the island contains 123 castles and manor houses around the area

Pedaling Through History

Similar to much of the country, cycles are the ideal method to get about in Odense and a “cycling highway” meanders through the city centre. From my accommodation, I ride to the public harbour-side swimming pool, then out of town for a loop around Stige Ø, a compact territory connected by causeway to the mainland. City residents picnic here following their day, or appreciate a tranquil moment catching fish, water sports or swimming.

Back in the city, I visit the themed restaurant, where the culinary offerings is derived from Andersen themes and stories. The poem the patriotic piece is highlighted when I visit, and manager Nils Palmqvist reads extracts, rendered in English, as he serves every dish. This is a practice commonplace in my days in the city, the fynbo appreciate narratives and it seems that sharing tales is always on the menu here.

Historic Estate Tours

Every excellent enchanted locations need a palace, and this region contains over a hundred manors and stately homes throughout the region. Going on excursions from the city, I explore the historic fortress, the continent's most intact Renaissance water castle. While much of it are available for tours, Egeskov is also the personal dwelling of the aristocratic owners and his spouse, the princess. I contemplate if she can feel a tiny vegetable through a pile of {mattresses