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Reflected back at me, I seem to have on oversized golden pantaloons, perceptible exclusively in my view. Children sit in a rock pool acting as ocean creatures, and in the next room rests a chatting legume in a display case, next to a imposing stack of cushions. This is the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), among the nineteenth-century's most beloved writers. I’m in Odense, on the island of Fyn in the southern region of the Danish kingdom, to discover Andersen’s lasting influence in his birthplace many decades after his demise, and to discover a handful of fairytales of my own.

The Exhibition: The Andersen Museum

Andersen's House is the local museum dedicated to the author, incorporating his childhood house. A curator explains that in past designs of the museum there was scant attention on his fairytales. His personal history was examined, but Thumbelina were nowhere to be found. For visitors who travel to this place in search of narrative enchantment, it was a little lacking.

The redesign of Odense city centre, redirecting a main thoroughfare, provided the opportunity to rethink how the city’s most famous son could be honored. A prestigious architectural challenge granted the architects from Japan the renowned designers the project, with the innovative curatorial vision at the center of the layout. The unique wood-paneled museum with interlinked curving spaces opened to much acclaim in 2021. “We have attempted to build a place where we don’t talk about the writer, but we talk like him: with wit, satire and perspective,” notes the representative. The landscape design take this approach: “It’s a garden for strollers and for large beings, it’s designed to make you feel small,” he notes, a challenge accomplished by strategic landscaping, manipulating verticality, scale and numerous twisting trails in a unexpectedly limited space.

The Author's Influence

Andersen wrote several personal accounts and regularly changed his story. HC Andersens Hus embraces this concept fully; often the opinions of his acquaintances or fragments of written messages are presented to subtly challenge the his narrative of events. “The author is the narrator, but his account isn't always accurate,” explains the expert. The outcome is a fascinating swift exploration of Andersen’s life and work, mental approaches and favorite tales. It is thought-provoking and playful, for grown-ups and children, with a additional lower-level make-believe land, Ville Vau, for the youngest visitors.

Visiting the Town

Returning to the physical town, the modest urban center of Odense is picturesque, with stone-paved roads and old wooden houses finished in vibrant hues. The writer's influence is everywhere: the road indicators display the storyteller with his iconic formal headwear, brass footprints provide a free pedestrian route, and there’s a sculpture trail too. Annually in August this commitment peaks with the annual HC Andersen festival, which celebrates the his influence through creativity, performance, theatre and musical performances.

Recently, the week-long celebration had numerous performances, most of which were complimentary. As I explore Odense, I meet colorful performers on stilts, fantastical beings and an author double narrating adventures. I experience feminist spoken-word pieces and observe an incredible evening show featuring graceful performers coming down from the city building and dangling from a crane. Future activities during the season are presentations, hands-on activities and, extending the oral history beyond Andersen, the city’s yearly enchantment celebration.

Each wonderful enchanted locations deserve a fortress, and Fyn boasts numerous historic homes and manor houses around the area

Pedaling Through History

As in much of the country, bikes are the ideal method to navigate in the city and a “cycling highway” curves through the city centre. Departing from the local hotel, I cycle to the complimentary waterside bathing area, then into the countryside for a route around Stige Ø, a compact territory joined by a bridge to the mainland. Town dwellers have outdoor meals here after work, or take pleasure in a quiet hour fishing, aquatic activities or bathing.

Returning to town, I dine at the themed restaurant, where the menu is derived from author-inspired concepts and stories. The literary work the patriotic piece is featured at the restaurant, and owner Nils Palmqvist shares excerpts, rendered in English, as he serves every dish. It’s an experience frequent in my days in the city, the local residents enjoy storytelling and it seems that sharing tales is constantly available here.

Castle Explorations

All good enchanted locations require a castle, and Fyn boasts over a hundred manors and stately homes across the island. Going on excursions from Odense, I visit Egeskov Palace, the region's best-preserved historic fortress. While much of it are available for tours, the castle is also the private residence of the noble family and his partner, the princess. I wonder if she can feel a tiny vegetable through a mound of {mattresses