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Looking at my reflection, I seem to have on oversized golden pantaloons, visible just for my eyes. Youngsters play in a rock pool acting as mermaids, and adjacent rests a talking pea in a exhibition box, beside a tall pile of cushions. It embodies the universe of the beloved author (1805-1875), among the 19th century’s highly cherished authors. I’m in Odense, on the island of Fyn in the south of this Nordic country, to explore the writer's enduring legacy in his native city 150 years after his demise, and to experience a handful of enchanted tales of my own.

The Museum: The Andersen Museum

Andersen's House is the town's museum dedicated to the storyteller, including his original residence. A curator states that in past designs of the museum there was scant attention on his fairytales. Andersen's biography was explored, but The Little Mermaid were absent. For guests who visit the city seeking narrative enchantment, it was somewhat disappointing.

The redesign of the city center, redirecting a main thoroughfare, created the chance to reconsider how the city’s most famous son could be honored. A prestigious architectural challenge granted the Japanese company the renowned designers the contract, with the museum's fresh perspective at the core of the structure. The distinctive wood-paneled museum with connected curving spaces opened to great fanfare in 2021. “We’ve tried to create a space where we avoid discussing the writer, but we talk like him: with comedy, irony and viewpoint,” notes the expert. The landscape design follow this philosophy: “This is a landscape for wanderers and for giants, it’s designed to create a feeling of diminutiveness,” he explains, a goal achieved by strategic landscaping, manipulating height, proportion and many winding paths in a unexpectedly limited space.

The Writer's Legacy

Andersen wrote several autobiographies and often provided conflicting accounts. HC Andersens Hus adopts this philosophy seriously; typically the opinions of his acquaintances or snippets of letters are shown to subtly challenge the author’s own version of incidents. “Andersen is the storyteller, but he’s not reliable,” says the representative. The effect is a fascinating whirlwind tour of the author's biography and creations, mental approaches and best-loved tales. It is thought-provoking and playful, for grown-ups and kids, with a additional underground make-believe land, the pretend town, for the youngest visitors.

Discovering the City

In the real world, the modest urban center of this Danish city is delightful, with historic pathways and traditional Danish homes finished in vibrant hues. The writer's influence is everywhere: the street signals feature the storyteller with his signature characteristic hat, metal shoe prints provide a free pedestrian route, and there’s a art walk too. Each summer this commitment peaks with the yearly HC Andersen festival, which marks the his influence through art, movement, stage shows and musical performances.

During my visit, the week-long event had hundreds of events, many were complimentary. While visiting the city, I meet painted stilt-walkers, ghoulish monsters and an author double telling stories. I hear contemporary performances and observe an amazing late-night performance with athletic artists lowering from the city building and suspended from a crane. Upcoming events during the season are talks, creative sessions for all ages and, extending the storytelling legacy beyond Andersen, the city’s yearly Magic Days festival.

All good fairytale destinations deserve a fortress, and this region contains numerous historic homes and estates throughout the region

Cycling and Exploration

Like other Danish regions, bicycles are the perfect means to get about in the city and a “bicycle route” curves through the urban core. Departing from Hotel Odeon, I cycle to the free port-side aquatic facility, then beyond the city for a loop around Stige Island, a compact territory linked by a road to the primary land. Town dwellers picnic here following their day, or take pleasure in a quiet hour catching fish, paddleboarding or swimming.

Back in Odense, I visit Restaurant Under Lindetræet, where the culinary offerings is based on author-inspired concepts and stories. The poem Denmark, My Native Land appears during my meal, and owner Nils Palmqvist recites passages, presented in English, as he introduces the meal. It’s an experience commonplace in my visit, the fynbo enjoy storytelling and it seems that storytelling is constantly available here.

Manor House Visits

All good magical places require a palace, and this region boasts 123 castles and estates across the island. Taking day trips from the city, I visit Egeskov Castle, the region's most intact moated palace. Despite parts are accessible to the public, Egeskov is also the private residence of the noble family and his spouse, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. I contemplate if she would notice a pea through a pile of {mattresses