European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 5, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse This museum Fresco depicts Ham Christian Andersen entertaining friends with tales. At left a bust of tin author. Telling the Story of Hans Christian an illustration from one of Andersen s stories. Story and photos by Ron Jensen staff writer 11,ins c Christ Iii Andersen began life As an ugly duckling but imaginative Story Lelling transformed into Beautiful Swan of tin Lili Rary world one of the world s must read authors. Bom in Odense. Denmark in 1805, the Only child of a poor Shoemaker Andersen knew Many disappointments. Mis father died in Al i it Ami Andersen had Little formal education. I be dreamed of a career on the stage As a Singer dancer or actor and pursued dream at the age of 14 by moving to Copenhagen. After Many frustrations and failures he finally landed a Job with the Royal theater but was dismissed when Vii i began to c Hange. I in also tried to write plays but All wore n i Ted. In hi., with the help of Imas Collin a government Uffit Ial Andersen ret lived a Grant in attend the grammar is Hariol at psf. Bul Here ii Fiji feed in the hands i i bully schoolmaster. Andersen s transformation began when Ullin removed Fern s Viool and hired a private Tutor. The boy was Simon Able to enter Copenhagen University. Andersen turned literary interest to Pix try novels and travel Skelcy lies. But tales sometimes based on personal adventures proved to be most lasting works. Written Between Iii is and ih72, they Are still enjoyed by children and adults m More than Kex languages. Andersen s life Story is told in a museum in Hometown at the Corner of i fans and Bangs boder. H s the site of the House where he was born. The museum visited by 150,000 Andersen fans each year is neatly organized with photographs and pages of original manuscripts. Andersen rarely destroyed anything so sketches diaries Anil other items Are readily available. Andersen was a travelling Man. I be once said to travel is to live and the museum has sketches and pressed Flowers he brought Back from journeys. A Large room holds a display of books showing the Many languages in which Andersen s tales Are printed. A visitor can listen to recordings of the tales in danish German and English. The voices of actors Mic Hael Redgrave and the late sir Laurence Olivier Are featured in the English versions. I perhaps the most interesting lems in the collection however Are the objects made by folding paper and then making cuts with St sissors. Andersen often made these for the amusement of the children of hosts. Many were simply attractive designs but some were of people such As a dancer and a Soldier. In a domed Hall eight frescoes by danish Niels Larson Slevins depict scenes from Andersen s life As he described them in autobiography. The fairy of my life. Also of interest is the collection of illustrations from books. His imaginative and inventive talks inspired illustrators. The drawings Range from he Beautiful and the surreal to the comic but nil do with lines and Ink what Andersen did with words Tell stories. Andersen s tales Are More than just bedtime stories. The emperor s new clothes for example is a wonderful tale of the dangers of vanity. The ugly duckling which Andersen s biographers believe is a personal tale leaches an important lesson about acceptance. The Little fir tree and the constant tin Soldier show that the desire to be loved and to belong is not always fulfilled. Some of the stories grew from Andersen s belief that he was not always appreciated. I be was a vain and ambitious Man. His memoirs published in 1855, went through Many revisions. He had trouble with personal relationships and was never married although he was deeply in love More than once. Andersen gave to the world an imaginary land filled with lessons about the dangers of selfishness snobbish Ness and greed. The museum gives an excellent overview of the Man who wrote them. The Hans Christian Andersen museum is open irom to . To 5 . In Panl. May and september irom 9 . To 6 . In Jung july and August and from 10 . To 3 p in. October through March. Admission which May change is 15 danish Kroner about $2. 10 stripes Mazine october 1989
