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Looking at my reflection, I appear to be wearing oversized golden pantaloons, seen only to me. Children sit in a rock pool imitating sea nymphs, meanwhile nearby rests a talking pea in a display case, next to a imposing stack of bedding. This is the domain of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), a leading 1800s highly cherished authors. I find myself in this Danish town, located on Fyn in the south of this Nordic country, to explore the writer's lasting influence in his home town many decades after his passing, and to discover a few enchanted tales of my own.

The Cultural Center: HC Andersens Hus

The H.C. Andersen Museum is the city’s museum honoring the author, featuring his childhood house. A curator states that in previous versions of the museum there was little focus on Andersen’s stories. The writer’s life was explored, but The Little Mermaid were missing. For visitors who come to the city in search of storytelling magic, it was a little lacking.

The redevelopment of Odense city centre, redirecting a primary street, created the chance to rethink how the renowned native could be honored. A prestigious architectural challenge awarded the architects from Japan Kengo Kuma and Associates the commission, with the museum's fresh perspective at the heart of the structure. The distinctive timber-clad museum with interlinked spiralling spaces opened to significant attention in 2021. “We’ve tried to design an environment where we don’t talk about the writer, but we communicate similarly to Andersen: with wit, sarcasm and perspective,” says the expert. The outdoor spaces embrace this concept: “The outdoor area for explorers and for large beings, it’s designed to create a feeling of diminutiveness,” he explains, a challenge achieved by clever planting, experimenting with elevation, size and multiple meandering routes in a deceptively small space.

The Author's Influence

The author penned multiple autobiographies and frequently changed his story. The exhibition adopts this philosophy to heart; often the perspectives of his companions or snippets of letters are presented to politely doubt the author’s own version of events. “The writer is the narrator, but his account isn't always accurate,” says the curator. The effect is a compelling rapid journey of the author's biography and work, thought processes and best-loved tales. It’s provocative and playful, for grown-ups and kids, with a additional basement make-believe land, Ville Vau, for the smallest guests.

Discovering the City

Back in the physical town, the small city of the municipality is delightful, with stone-paved roads and traditional Danish homes finished in vibrant hues. The writer's influence is all around: the street signals show the storyteller with his iconic characteristic hat, metal shoe prints provide a complimentary pedestrian route, and there’s a outdoor exhibition too. Every August this dedication culminates with the regular Andersen celebration, which honors the his influence through creativity, movement, drama and musical performances.

During my visit, the seven-day event had hundreds of events, many were complimentary. During my time in the city, I come across painted stilt-walkers, fantastical beings and an writer impersonator narrating adventures. I listen to feminist spoken-word pieces and see an amazing nocturnal display featuring graceful performers descending from the city building and hanging from a mechanical arm. Upcoming events this year are presentations, family art workshops and, broadening the oral history past the author, the city’s annual Magic Days festival.

Every excellent enchanted locations deserve a castle, and the island features over a hundred manors and estates across the island

Cycling and Exploration

Similar to much of the country, cycles are the perfect means to travel around in the city and a “bicycle route” winds through the downtown area. Departing from the local hotel, I ride to the complimentary harbour-side swimming pool, then beyond the city for a route around Stige Ø, a tiny landmass joined by a bridge to the mainland. Local inhabitants picnic here after work, or appreciate a peaceful time fishing, aquatic activities or taking a dip.

In Odense, I dine at Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the food selection is inspired by the writer's motifs and stories. The literary work the patriotic piece appears at the restaurant, and proprietor the restaurateur recites passages, rendered in English, as he presents each course. It’s an experience repeated often in my time in Odense, the island inhabitants love a yarn and it seems that narrating is constantly on the menu here.

Manor House Visits

Each wonderful enchanted locations need a castle, and this region boasts over a hundred manors and estates across the island. Traveling briefly from town, I tour Egeskov Castle, the region's most intact Renaissance water castle. Although large sections are available for tours, the castle is also the private residence of the noble family and his spouse, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I wonder if she might sense a tiny vegetable through a stack of {mattresses