Activities of the Year
Throughout the year, you can explore an exciting and varied programme of talks, workshops, and activities that delve into life’s big questions.
Throughout the year, you can explore an exciting and varied programme of talks, workshops, and activities that delve into life’s big questions.
Find the overview of this year’s activities below – the programme is updated continuously.
Activities
In October, Ville Vau unfolds H.C. Andersen’s fairy tale The Shadow
through selected storytelling sessions, workshops, and creative studio activities.
We welcome the autumn darkness and mark the 150th anniversary of H.C. Andersen’s death by setting shadows in motion.
In the Studio, you can make your own lantern. Let the shadows stretch when you light your lantern. If you think the shadows are going a bit too far, you can always turn off the light—then we can be sure they won’t wander off.
Or step into the stage darkness and let the beam of light catch your shadow. The shadow mimics you—at least at first.
Live Storytelling: The Little Match Girl
Let your imagination come alive as you experience one of H.C. Andersen’s most famous and saddest fairy tales.
This live storytelling brings out the magic and emotional power of the tale, unfolding in the space between storyteller and audience.
Look forward to a moving story filled with strong and whimsical characters, and immerse yourself in the experience together with your family.
November 1–2 at 11:00 & 15:00
November 29–30 at 11:00 & 15:00
AFTER HOURS – Death as a Theme
Award-winning illustrator Simon Væth talks about his work on a new H.C. Andersen film, and the museum’s interpretation designer Simon Steen Hansen discusses death as a theme in educational programs.
November 3 at 19:00–20:00
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AFTER HOURS – H.C. Andersen and the Melchior Family
Allan Melchior, a descendant of the Melchior family, talks about H.C. Andersen’s visits to his great-great-grandparents and presents pictures, gifts, and letters the poet sent to the family.
November 13 at 19:00–21:00
Buy ticket
In November, Ville Vau unfolds H.C. Andersen’s fairy tale The Shadow
through selected storytelling sessions, workshops, and creative studio activities.
We welcome the autumn darkness and mark the 150th anniversary of H.C. Andersen’s death by setting shadows in motion.
In the Studio, you can make your own lantern. Let the shadows stretch when you light your lantern.
If you think the shadows are going a bit too far, you can always turn off the light—then we can be sure they won’t wander off.
Or step into the stage darkness and let the beam of light catch your shadow.
The shadow mimics you—at least at first.
Workshop: Shadow Play
Using an old overhead projector, we create small, improvised fairy tales with shadows, plants, and your own drawings.
Just like in H.C. Andersen’s story The Shadow, where the shadow comes to life, we explore what happens when imagination runs free and the shadows take over the story.
You help shape the tale along the way—and who knows what might appear in the darkness?
November 8–9 at 12:00
November 15–16 at 12:00
AFTER HOURS – Veronica Hodges’ Flowers of Remembrance
Gain insight into how the paper artist found inspiration for the large flower installation in the museum’s Memorial Hall, her creative process, and the thoughts behind her works.
December 11 at 19:00–21:00
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The Fir Tree in the Studio
In December, the theme in the Studio is H.C. Andersen’s fairy tale The Fir Tree.
The little fir tree cannot wait for the day it will become a Christmas tree.
But when that day finally comes, it grows anxious about all the decorations and attention.
The fir tree promises itself that next time, it will enjoy everything more.
But there is only one Christmas Eve each year, so there was no next day of splendor and celebration for the fir tree.
In the Studio, you can make Joy Trees, where you fill your fir tree with things that make you happy right now.
You can also make Christmas decorations—perhaps to hang on a tree early, so it can practice enjoying being adorned.
Flowers of Remembrance
Inspired by the life and works of Hans Christian Andersen, H.C. Andersens Hus and Museum Odense focus on death and the afterlife, on how we remember and are remembered – and, above all, on living life while we have it. The commemoration is part of the city’s collective celebration, Andersen Forever.
The commemoration is called “Flowers of Remembrance” and is based on a special exhibition about life, death, and remembrance, featuring contributions from paper artist Veronica Hodges. The exhibition opened at H.C. Andersens Hus on Hans Christian Andersen’s death day, 4 August. On the same day, there was also a premiere of a newly produced live performance of the same name, “Flowers of Remembrance”. It was a sensory experience with music, dance, and storytelling, created in collaboration with artists and performers from Odense.
Thanks to the H.C. Andersen Foundation for supporting the special exhibition, performance, and activity program, and to the Jorck Foundation, the Islands Art Foundation, and the H.C. Andersen Festivals for supporting the performance.
