Reflected back at me, I seem to have on oversized golden pantaloons, visible exclusively in my view. Children sit in a rock pool pretending to be mermaids, while adjacent resides a speaking vegetable in a showcase, next to a imposing pile of bedding. This is the domain of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), one of the 1800s widely adored storytellers. I'm visiting this Danish town, situated in Fyn in the southern part of the Danish kingdom, to explore Andersen’s timeless impact in his home town many decades after his passing, and to find a handful of magical stories of my own.
The Museum: The Andersen Museum
HC Andersens Hus is the town's exhibition space honoring the writer, incorporating his childhood house. A curator explains that in past designs of the museum there was little focus on Andersen’s stories. His personal history was explored, but The Ugly Duckling were nowhere to be found. For visitors who come to Odense looking for storytelling magic, it was not quite enough.
The renovation of the city center, rerouting a primary street, provided the opportunity to rethink how the renowned native could be honored. A prestigious architectural challenge granted Japanese firm the renowned designers the project, with the museum's fresh perspective at the core of the design. The distinctive wood-paneled museum with interwoven curving spaces debuted to much acclaim in 2021. “Our goal was to build a place where we don’t talk about the writer, but we talk like him: with humour, satire and outlook,” explains the curator. Even the gardens follow this philosophy: “The outdoor area for wanderers and for colossal creatures, it's created to create a feeling of diminutiveness,” he explains, a goal accomplished by clever planting, playing with elevation, size and numerous twisting trails in a deceptively small space.
The Writer's Legacy
He authored multiple autobiographies and frequently contradicted himself. The museum embraces this concept to heart; frequently the views of his friends or snippets of letters are presented to subtly challenge the his narrative of happenings. “The writer is the storyteller, but his account isn't always accurate,” says the representative. The outcome is a engaging rapid journey of Andersen’s life and creations, thought processes and most popular narratives. This is stimulating and whimsical, for adults and kids, with a extra underground fantasy realm, Ville Vau, for the smallest guests.
Exploring Odense
Back in the real world, the compact town of the municipality is charming, with cobbled streets and historic timber buildings painted in cheerful shades. The Andersen legacy is everywhere: the road indicators display the writer with his distinctive characteristic hat, metal shoe prints offer a no-cost guided stroll, and there’s a outdoor exhibition too. Annually in August this commitment peaks with the annual storytelling event, which marks the writer's impact through creativity, performance, stage shows and music.
This year, the multi-day festival had numerous performances, many were complimentary. While visiting this place, I encounter artistic acrobats, fantastical beings and an author double telling stories. I listen to empowering poetry and observe an incredible nocturnal display with acrobatic dancers lowering from the city building and dangling from a construction equipment. Upcoming events during the season are presentations, creative sessions for all ages and, expanding the narrative tradition further than the writer, the city’s regular wonder event.
Every excellent magical places require a fortress, and this region features over a hundred manors and estates throughout the region
Pedaling Through History
Like other Danish regions, cycles are the perfect means to get about in the city and a “cycling highway” winds through the urban core. Departing from my accommodation, I pedal to the public waterside bathing area, then beyond the city for a circuit around Stige Ø, a tiny landmass joined by a bridge to the larger island. Local inhabitants picnic here after work, or take pleasure in a peaceful time angling, water sports or swimming.
In town, I visit the themed restaurant, where the menu is inspired by author-inspired concepts and tales. The verse Denmark, My Native Land is featured when I visit, and proprietor the host reads extracts, presented in English, as he presents each course. It’s an experience repeated often in my time in Odense, the fynbo love a yarn and it appears storytelling is constantly on the menu here.
Historic Estate Tours
Each wonderful magical places need a castle, and Fyn boasts numerous historic homes and estates around the area. Traveling briefly from Odense, I tour the historic fortress, Europe’s most intact historic fortress. While much of it are open to visitors, Egeskov is also the private residence of Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and his wife, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I ponder if she would notice a tiny vegetable through a mound of {mattresses
