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Looking at my reflection, I can see myself in huge golden pantaloons, seen exclusively in my view. Youngsters relax in a water feature imitating ocean creatures, and adjacent resides a speaking vegetable in a exhibition box, next to a imposing stack of bedding. It represents the domain of the beloved author (1805-1875), among the 1800s most beloved storytellers. I find myself in Odense, situated in Funen in the southern region of this Nordic country, to discover the writer's lasting influence in his native city 150 years after his demise, and to discover a couple of fairytales of my own.

The Exhibition: The Andersen Museum

HC Andersens Hus is the town's cultural center dedicated to the author, featuring his childhood house. A museum representative notes that in previous versions of the museum there was scant attention on his fairytales. Andersen's biography was studied, but Thumbelina were missing. For guests who come to this place in search of narrative enchantment, it was a little lacking.

The redesign of downtown Odense, rerouting a main thoroughfare, created the chance to rethink how the local celebrity could be commemorated. An international design contest gave Japanese firm the renowned designers the commission, with the museum's fresh perspective at the heart of the design. The distinctive timber-clad museum with connected spiral spaces opened to great fanfare in 2021. “We’ve tried to design an environment where we move beyond simply describing Andersen, but we communicate similarly to him: with wit, irony and outlook,” notes the representative. The landscape design embrace this concept: “This is a landscape for wanderers and for giants, it's created to give you a sense of smallness,” he says, an objective realized by strategic landscaping, manipulating height, proportion and many winding paths in a unexpectedly limited space.

The Writer's Legacy

The author penned two and a half memoirs and often provided conflicting accounts. HC Andersens Hus embraces this concept seriously; typically the opinions of his companions or excerpts of letters are presented to politely doubt the writer's personal account of events. “Andersen is the narrator, but his account isn't always accurate,” says the expert. The result is a fascinating rapid journey of the author's biography and work, thought processes and favorite tales. This is thought-provoking and whimsical, for mature visitors and youngsters, with a additional lower-level imaginary world, the pretend town, for the smallest guests.

Visiting the Town

In the real world, the compact town of the municipality is picturesque, with stone-paved roads and traditional Danish homes painted in vibrant hues. The Andersen legacy is everywhere: the street signals feature the writer with his signature characteristic hat, brass footprints give a free guided stroll, and there’s a sculpture trail too. Annually in August this focus peaks with the annual Andersen celebration, which honors the author’s legacy through visual arts, dance, drama and music.

During my visit, the multi-day festival had hundreds of events, the majority were free. As I explore this place, I come across painted stilt-walkers, spooky creatures and an writer impersonator sharing tales. I experience feminist spoken-word pieces and see an amazing late-night performance with athletic artists coming down from the municipal structure and suspended from a construction equipment. Future activities during the season are lectures, hands-on activities and, broadening the storytelling legacy further than the writer, the city’s annual Magic Days festival.

Each wonderful magical places require a fortress, and this region contains numerous historic homes and manor houses across the island

Cycling and Exploration

Similar to much of the country, bicycles are the ideal method to get about in Odense and a “bicycle route” meanders through the city centre. Starting at Hotel Odeon, I ride to the free port-side aquatic facility, then into the countryside for a loop around the nearby islet, a tiny landmass linked by a road to the larger island. City residents relax with food here following their day, or appreciate a quiet hour fishing, paddleboarding or bathing.

Back in Odense, I eat at a local eatery, where the menu is based on the writer's motifs and tales. The poem the patriotic piece is highlighted when I visit, and proprietor the host reads extracts, translated into English, as he introduces the meal. It’s an experience frequent in my days in the city, the fynbo enjoy storytelling and it seems that sharing tales is always available here.

Manor House Visits

Each wonderful fairytale destinations deserve a castle, and Fyn boasts over a hundred manors and estates throughout the region. 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, the castle is also the family home of Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and his spouse, the princess. I contemplate if she can feel a pea through a pile of {mattresses