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Looking at my reflection, I can see myself in huge golden pantaloons, perceptible only to me. Kids sit in a water feature imitating ocean creatures, meanwhile nearby rests a speaking vegetable in a exhibition box, next to a tall pile of cushions. It represents the universe of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), one of the 19th century’s most beloved storytellers. I'm visiting this Danish town, situated in Funen in the southern region of this Nordic country, to discover the author's enduring legacy in his native city 150 years after his death, and to experience a few enchanted tales of my own.

The Museum: The Andersen Museum

Andersen's House is the city’s cultural center celebrating the author, featuring his first home. A museum representative notes that in earlier iterations of the museum there was scant attention on his fairytales. Andersen's biography was studied, but Thumbelina were nowhere to be found. For tourists who visit this place in search of storytelling magic, it was a little lacking.

The redesign of the city center, redirecting a major road, provided the opportunity to reconsider how the local celebrity could be celebrated. A prestigious architectural challenge gave the Japanese company the renowned designers the project, with the museum's fresh perspective at the core of the structure. The distinctive timber-clad museum with connected spiralling spaces opened to much acclaim in 2021. “We have attempted to build a place where we don’t talk about Andersen, but we talk like Andersen: with comedy, sarcasm and outlook,” notes the representative. The outdoor spaces follow this philosophy: “This is a landscape for explorers and for large beings, it’s designed to make you feel small,” he notes, a goal realized by thoughtful gardening, experimenting with verticality, size and multiple meandering routes in a surprisingly compact space.

The Writer's Legacy

Andersen wrote several personal accounts and frequently contradicted himself. HC Andersens Hus adopts this philosophy fully; typically the perspectives of his friends or excerpts of written messages are presented to gently question the writer's personal account of happenings. “The writer is the narrator, but his account isn't always accurate,” notes the representative. The result is a compelling swift exploration of Andersen’s life and work, mental approaches and best-loved tales. This is thought-provoking and playful, for adults and youngsters, with a extra basement imaginary world, Ville Vau, for the smallest guests.

Visiting the Town

Returning to the actual city, the small city of Odense is charming, with stone-paved roads and historic timber buildings colored in bright colours. The writer's influence is all around: the road indicators show the writer with his iconic top hat, metal shoe prints provide a complimentary guided stroll, and there’s a art walk too. Every August this dedication peaks with the yearly Andersen celebration, which marks the his influence through creativity, performance, stage shows and melodies.

Recently, the seven-day celebration had numerous performances, the majority were free. During my time in the city, I meet colorful performers on stilts, ghoulish monsters and an writer impersonator telling stories. I hear contemporary performances and witness an remarkable evening show including acrobatic dancers coming down from the town hall and suspended from a crane. Upcoming events during the season are presentations, hands-on activities and, extending the narrative tradition further than the writer, the city’s annual Magic Days festival.

Each wonderful fairytale destinations need a fortress, and this region features over a hundred manors and stately homes across the island

Cycling and Exploration

Similar to much of the country, bicycles are the best way to travel around in the city and a “bicycle route” winds through the city centre. Departing from the local hotel, I ride to the public harbour-side swimming pool, then beyond the city for a loop around Stige Island, a small island linked by a road to the primary land. City residents relax with food here in the evening, or appreciate a tranquil moment fishing, paddleboarding or taking a dip.

In Odense, I dine at a local eatery, where the culinary offerings is based on Andersen themes and stories. The literary work the national ode appears when I visit, and manager the restaurateur recites passages, presented in English, as he presents each course. Such encounters commonplace in my time in Odense, the local residents enjoy storytelling and it feels as though narrating is continuously offered here.

Castle Explorations

Every excellent magical places need a castle, and the island features numerous historic homes and estates across the island. Taking day trips from the city, I explore Egeskov Castle, Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance water castle. Although large sections are accessible to the public, the castle is also the personal dwelling of Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and his spouse, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I wonder if she would notice a tiny vegetable through a pile of {mattresses