Koidula museum’s winter garden opens its windows to the magical world of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales and children’s Christmas wishes.

1.12.2024–24.02.2025

Estonians were first introduced to the great world of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales in 1866, when his story „The Darning-Needle“ was published in newspaper Eesti Postimees. It is believed that it was Lydia Koidula who translated it, from German, of course. Koidula was familiar with the Danish fairy tale author since she was a little girl and even referenced his stories in her letters to friends. But why did they publish that story in particular? Back then, during Estonia’s national awakening movement, the story offered great comfort by urging everyone to stay true to themselves.

Next year, we celebrate 220 years of Andersen’s birth. Thanks to translator Henrik Sepamaa, Estonians are among those small nations that have the opportunity to read Andersen’s fairy tales in their own language.

This winter, inspired by Andersen’s magical stories and his unique paper cuts, Koidula museum’s garden transforms into a magical land and awaits for visitors… both young and old, looking for light and warmth during the dark and cold winter days.