H.C. Andersen’s House officially opened by HM The Queen
Today, Odense’s new cultural landmark, H.C. Andersen’s House, was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen. After the opening ceremony, Her Majesty toured the museum’s captivating exhibitions and immersed herself in the poetic universe and timeless stories of the world-famous author.
A proud mayor welcomed guests at the inauguration:
“It is a great joy to open one of Denmark’s most ambitious and modern museums. H.C. Andersen is a vital part of Odense’s identity, and with this new museum, we have the opportunity to explore his works and fairy tales in new and engaging ways that help bring the city closer together. It’s a truly special and celebratory day,” said Odense’s Mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel (S).
Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, Chair of the A.P. Møller Foundation – the main financial backer behind the museum – also spoke at the event:
“H.C. Andersen is arguably our greatest poet. He captivates both children and adults with his magical tales, which people around the world can still relate to today. With the new museum, we hope we’ve come closer to the heart of Andersen’s universe.”
Christoffer Lilleholt (V), Alderman for Urban and Cultural Affairs, also addressed the audience:
“This is a big day for both Odense and H.C. Andersen. First, we’re opening an extraordinary museum for a legendary storyteller, and second, we’re hungry for cultural experiences after a long and difficult lockdown. Especially our children and young people have missed out, so it’s a real joy to open the doors of imagination with an exhibition and a house dedicated to our world-famous author – a project that puts Odense firmly on the global map.”
Henrik Dam, Chairman of the Board at Odense City Museums and Rector at SDU, also celebrated the occasion:
“We at Odense City Museums are thrilled to take over a fully completed H.C. Andersen’s House and to welcome many visitors from across Denmark – and, when the COVID situation allows, from all over the world. The previous Andersen Museum was among Denmark’s most visited by international tourists.”
Experience the magic of H.C. Andersen’s House at half price
The museum’s launch is a soft opening, with exhibitions gradually completed and tested. While most of the museum is ready, a few areas are still under construction.
“As expected, the COVID lockdowns caused some challenges, which means a few sections aren’t fully finished yet. Still, we’ve chosen to proceed with a soft opening over the summer to offer extraordinary magical and artistic experiences to everyone spending their holidays in Denmark or visiting Odense,” says Torben Grøngaard Jeppesen, Director of Odense City Museums.
To mark this phase, admission will be half price until and including 31 July 2021. Throughout July, the museum is open from 2 PM to 10 PM, allowing technicians and contractors to finish the last details during the day. From 1 August, normal opening hours apply: 9 AM to 7 PM. Tickets can be booked in advance at www.hcandersenhouse.dk.
Press Contact
Press photos from the opening ceremony are available at www.hcandersenhouse.com/press.
Video from the inauguration can be sent upon request to amalie@have.dk.
Anja Linnet // anja@have.dk // +45 22 65 53 48
Johannes Mandal // johannes@have.dk // +45 22 28 77 77
About H.C. Andersen’s House
H.C. Andersen’s House was designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his studio, known for the new Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. For this project, Kuma drew inspiration from The Tinderbox, where a tree reveals a hidden underground world – opening new perspectives in a magical way.
The museum covers 5,600 square metres and includes a children’s museum and a subterranean exhibition space, woven together with a surrounding fairytale garden. A combination of state-of-the-art technology and immersive scenography brings Andersen’s enchanting universe to life.
Architect and lead consultant: Kengo Kuma & Associates with C&W Architects, CORNELIUS VÖGE, MASU Planning and Søren Jensen Consulting Engineers. Exhibition concept by Event Communications. The exhibition is curated and managed by Odense City Museums.
The museum was made possible with generous support from the A.P. Møller Foundation and contributions from the Nordea Foundation, Augustinus Foundation, Knud Højgaards Fond and the City of Odense.