Hans Christian Andersen Footsteps - A Sound-Walk through the Author's Copenhagen

“I did not know a living soul anywhere in the big city; with a small bundle of clothes I walked in through the West Gate; some of the travellers put up at “Gardergaarden” in Vestergade street – I went there too, acquired a small room after handing over my passport, and now – it seemed to me – I had reached the goal of my desires.” (Hans Christian Andersen: The Biography)

This is how Hans Christian Andersen in his own words described his arrival to Copenhagen in 1819. He was fourteen years old – and from that moment the poet from Funen became a Copenhagener. He travelled abroad extensively and often stayed with friends and acquaintances around Denmark, but he always returned to Copenhagen. The city was his home for over 50 years, this is where he fought his way to fame, where he let himself be inspired, where he wrote - and where he ended his days. Copenhagen became both a background to his life, and a colourful backdrop in his writing.

As a part of the Hans Christian Andersen 2005, Golden Days presented In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen – A Sound-Walk through the author’s Copenhagen. In the centre of Copenhagen it was possible to follow the poet on a route made up of 2000 footprints on the sidewalks. On the way the audience passed 62 stops that have had significance in the life and writing of Hans Christian Andersen. At all stops along the route a sign told about the location back then – and about its significance in the life of Hans Christian Andersen. A call on the mobile phone brought the audience into direct contact with the author, who – brought to life by present day actors – gave his own record of the location. In English these sound-quotes were read and interpreted by Sir Derek Jacobi and in Danish by Lars Mikkelsen.

In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen made it possible for the audience to move though a kaleidoscopic author-biography, where Hans Christian Andersen’s own experience of 19^th century Copenhagen comes alive. In Bredgade street, for example, we joined the vain author at the photographer, at the Royal Danish Theatre we heard about Andersen’s private dreams and about the period’s thriving culture. In Kongens Have park we met the author as a starving young man, and in Østergade street we met him in his fanciest clothes, with ladies recognising the now famous poet.

The key idea behind this innovative city walk was to make the story of Copenhagen in the days of Hans Christian Andersen accessible to the people moving about in the city’s spaces. The wish was to give the audience which might not otherwise seek out knowledge about Hans Christian Andersen easy and direct access to information through their own mobile phone. In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen was open 24 hours a day, taking place in both English and Danish, and was free for all. The audience could choose to follow the whole route or simply stop when passing one of the signs in the cityscape.

In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen was open April 1- September 30, 2005.