Tra le viuzze e le casette colorate del centro storico, spuntano non solo market stalls full of decorations, dolls, Santa Clauses and sweet treats, but also jugglers, tightrope walkers, carriages, and romantic hand-cranked organs.
Passeggiando qua e là, non è raro imbattersi nella Snow Queen, nella Little Match Girl, in Thumbelina e nei tanti altri personaggi delle Andersen’s fairy tales, il quale qui nacque nel 1805 e visse fino all’adolescenza.
Nel Lotze Garden, presso il centro culturale per bambini l’Acciarino, un grande sicomoro sfoggia ben 32mila lucine accese, che creano il magico effetto di un cielo stellato, e nel vicino Hans Christian Anders Museum, un grande albero natalizio mette in mostra gli addobbi, che riproducono fedelmente quelli che creava lo stesso scrittore. Con carta e forbici. Sulla Grontorvet square, gli ambulanti, vestiti nei costumi tradizionali, insegnano ai bambini l’arte di intrecciare i rami freschi di abete, ricavandone corone e ghirlande da abbellire con bacche, fiocchi e candeline.
At the local history museum (Montergarden), you can relive the Christmas atmosphere of the 1800s, with costumed actors presenting the activities of the time: women making lace; carpenters working wood to create tools and figurines; blacksmiths casting metal…
A classic is the Hans Christian Andersen Parade, held twice a day, during which a singer-actor, portraying the writer, accompanied by a procession of children in costume, introduces the characters from the most famous fairy tales. However, the appointment not to be missed is the lighting of the big Christmas tree in the main square. An exciting moment attended by the whole population and Santa Claus himself.
The beautiful square is lit up like day by thousands of bulbs and people sing a Christmas carol, a simple but authentic way to officially open the Advent and Christmas season, which in Denmark is among the most heartfelt in Europe.
Between stops, it’s worth taking some breaks indoors for a glass of glogg, the strong and fragrant Scandinavian mulled wine, traditionally served with sweet fritters, or something more substantial, like herrings and snaps (potato schnapps). Under the big and equipped Spejltellet tent, adults and children can rest and have fun, thanks to a dense program of music and small shows.
Reaching Odense during the holiday season is neither difficult nor expensive: the airline EasyJet offers low-cost flights from Milan to Copenhagen. From here, less than two hours by train will take you to the city, passing under the imposing Storebaelt bridge. Alternatively, you can rent a car directly at the airport.
