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Looking at my reflection, I seem to have on huge shimmering pantaloons, perceptible only to me. Children relax in a stone basin imitating mermaids, while nearby rests a speaking vegetable in a showcase, alongside a tall mound of cushions. It represents the world of H.C. Andersen (1805-1875), one of the nineteenth-century's widely adored authors. I'm visiting this Danish town, situated in Funen in the southern region of the Danish kingdom, to explore the writer's lasting influence in his home town 150 years after his demise, and to find a handful of enchanted tales of my own.

The Museum: H.C. Andersen's House

HC Andersens Hus is the city’s exhibition space dedicated to the storyteller, including his first home. A curator notes that in previous versions of the museum there was scant attention on Andersen’s stories. Andersen's biography was studied, but Thumbelina were missing. For tourists who come to this place looking for fairytale wonder, it was somewhat disappointing.

The redevelopment of downtown Odense, rerouting a main thoroughfare, created the chance to reimagine how the local celebrity could be commemorated. A prestigious architectural challenge granted the Japanese company the Kengo Kuma team the commission, with the innovative curatorial vision at the core of the design. The unique wood-paneled museum with connected curving spaces debuted to great fanfare in 2021. “We have attempted to design an environment where we avoid discussing Andersen, but we communicate similarly to him: with humour, satire and perspective,” notes the representative. The landscape design follow this philosophy: “This is a landscape for explorers and for large beings, it’s designed to make you feel small,” he says, an objective achieved by clever planting, experimenting with verticality, scale and multiple meandering routes in a deceptively small space.

Andersen's Impact

The author penned several memoirs and often provided conflicting accounts. HC Andersens Hus takes this approach to heart; often the opinions of his friends or excerpts of written messages are displayed to politely doubt the his narrative of events. “The writer is the narrator, but his account isn't always accurate,” explains the expert. The result is a fascinating whirlwind tour of his personal story and art, mental approaches and most popular tales. This is thought-provoking and fun, for adults and kids, with a additional basement make-believe land, Ville Vau, for the children.

Exploring Odense

In the physical town, the compact town of Odense is picturesque, with cobbled streets and historic timber buildings finished in vibrant hues. The author's presence is all around: the road indicators display the storyteller with his signature top hat, metal shoe prints give a no-cost pedestrian route, and there’s a outdoor exhibition too. Every August this dedication reaches its height with the annual HC Andersen festival, which celebrates the writer's impact through visual arts, movement, theatre and musical performances.

Recently, the week-long festival had 500 shows, the majority were without charge. As I explore this place, I encounter artistic acrobats, ghoulish monsters and an Andersen lookalike sharing tales. I listen to contemporary performances and witness an remarkable nocturnal display including athletic artists coming down from the town hall and hanging from a crane. Upcoming events this year are lectures, family art workshops and, extending the narrative tradition beyond Andersen, the city’s regular enchantment celebration.

Every excellent magical places require a palace, and Fyn boasts 123 castles and manor houses throughout the region

Biking Adventures

Like much of the country, cycles are the ideal method to get about in the city and a “cycling highway” curves through the city centre. From the local hotel, I ride to the complimentary port-side aquatic facility, then beyond the city for a route around the nearby islet, a tiny landmass connected by causeway to the larger island. Local inhabitants relax with food here in the evening, or take pleasure in a quiet hour catching fish, water sports or bathing.

Back in town, I visit Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the culinary offerings is based on author-inspired concepts and narratives. The poem the national ode is featured during my meal, and proprietor the host shares excerpts, presented in English, as he serves every dish. Such encounters repeated often in my visit, the island inhabitants appreciate narratives and it appears sharing tales is continuously offered here.

Historic Estate Tours

Each wonderful enchanted locations need a palace, and the island contains over a hundred manors and stately homes across the island. Traveling briefly from Odense, I explore the historic fortress, the region's best-preserved historic fortress. Despite parts are open to visitors, this historic site is also the family home of the aristocratic owners and his wife, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I contemplate if she would notice a small legume through a pile of {mattresses