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Looking at my reflection, I seem to have on huge gilded pantaloons, seen just for my eyes. Children play in a water feature imitating sea nymphs, meanwhile in the next room resides a chatting legume in a display case, beside a towering stack of cushions. This is the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), one of the 19th century’s highly cherished storytellers. I’m in the city of Odense, on the island of Fyn in the southern part of Denmark, to explore Andersen’s lasting influence in his birthplace 150 years after his death, and to experience a couple of magical stories of my own.

The Cultural Center: H.C. Andersen's House

Andersen's House is the local museum honoring the storyteller, incorporating his first home. A curator states that in past designs of the museum there was scant attention on Andersen’s stories. Andersen's biography was explored, but The Ugly Duckling were absent. For guests who travel to the city looking for storytelling magic, it was somewhat disappointing.

The redevelopment of the city center, diverting a major road, made it possible to reimagine how the local celebrity could be honored. A prestigious architectural challenge awarded the Japanese company the renowned designers the contract, with the curators’ new approach at the core of the design. The unique timber-clad museum with interlinked spiral spaces opened to significant attention in 2021. “We’ve tried to design an environment where we don’t talk about the author, but we speak in the manner of Andersen: with wit, sarcasm and outlook,” says the representative. The outdoor spaces follow this philosophy: “It’s a garden for strollers and for colossal creatures, it's planned to give you a sense of smallness,” he notes, a challenge achieved by thoughtful gardening, playing with height, size and numerous twisting trails in a unexpectedly limited space.

Andersen's Impact

He authored several personal accounts and regularly contradicted himself. The museum embraces this concept seriously; typically the perspectives of his companions or snippets of letters are shown to gently question the his narrative of incidents. “The author is the storyteller, but he's untrustworthy,” explains the representative. The outcome is a compelling rapid journey of the author's biography and art, mental approaches and best-loved narratives. This is stimulating and playful, for mature visitors and children, with a additional basement fantasy realm, the pretend town, for the youngest visitors.

Exploring Odense

In the actual city, the modest urban center of Odense is picturesque, with stone-paved roads and historic timber buildings finished in cheerful shades. The author's presence is all around: the street signals feature the storyteller with his distinctive formal headwear, metal shoe prints give a no-cost guided stroll, and there’s a sculpture trail too. Each summer this focus reaches its height with the yearly storytelling event, which marks the author’s legacy through visual arts, performance, drama and melodies.

During my visit, the multi-day event had 500 shows, many were free. While visiting Odense, I meet painted stilt-walkers, spooky creatures and an Andersen lookalike telling stories. I hear contemporary performances and witness an incredible late-night performance featuring graceful performers descending from the city building and hanging from a crane. Upcoming events this year are presentations, hands-on activities and, broadening the narrative tradition further than the writer, the city’s yearly wonder event.

Every excellent fairytale destinations deserve a castle, and Fyn features numerous historic homes and stately homes across the island

Biking Adventures

Similar to other Danish regions, bikes are the best way to travel around in the city and a “cycling highway” winds through the downtown area. Departing from my accommodation, I ride to the public port-side aquatic facility, then into the countryside for a loop around Stige Island, a tiny landmass connected by causeway to the larger island. Local inhabitants relax with food here after work, or take pleasure in a peaceful time angling, water sports or swimming.

Returning to town, I visit Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the culinary offerings is based on author-inspired concepts and tales. The poem the national ode is highlighted when I visit, and owner the restaurateur reads extracts, rendered in English, as he presents each course. This is a practice commonplace in my days in the city, the island inhabitants enjoy storytelling and it seems that storytelling is continuously available here.

Castle Explorations

All good enchanted locations deserve a castle, and this region features 123 castles and estates around the area. Taking day trips from the city, I explore Egeskov Palace, the continent's most intact Renaissance water castle. Despite parts are accessible to the public, Egeskov is also the family home of the noble family and his spouse, the royal resident. I ponder if she would notice a tiny vegetable through a stack of {mattresses