Saturday, the 2nd of April 2005 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen in the Danish town of Odense.
During their recent visit to Hobart, Crown Prince Fredrik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark opened a travelling exhibition dedicated to the life and times of the world-renowned storyteller & poet at the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery.
Hans Christian Andersen’s name is synonymous with many so-called ‘fairytales’ such as the The Little Mermaid, The Frog Prince, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling and many, many more…over 175 in fact! Yet he was much more than a writer of just children’s fairytales!
There is a universal, almost timeless quality to his stories; they speak of and to the human condition. His ‘Once upon a time…..’ stories written for children and adults are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them in the first half of the 19th century.
One of my favourites is “The Emperor’s New Clothes” written in 1837. If ever there was a tale in praise of the naïve dissenter or whistleblower it was this one.
This wonderfully human tale is still true in today’s world of celebrity, political influence, corporate power and gravelling servitude.
As in Hans’ day even the Mighty can allow the swindlers to rip off the common wealth and just sometimes an ordinary simpleton has the courage to expose the truth for the common good.
Tasmanians, enjoy and celebrate the life of a great storyteller:
The Emperor’s New Clothes
