Danish city of Odense hails its prodigal son Hans Christian Andersen

ODENSE, Denmark (AFP) — As Danes prepare to fete the 200th anniversary of the birth of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen on Saturday, none are more proud than those in his hometown of Odense.

"We are so proud to have Hans Christian Andersen, so proud that he was born in our town," says Marianne, a woman in her 70s who says she "can't wait" to see the celebrities and royals from across Europe who are due to descend on Odense, 170 kilometers (100 miles) from Copenhagen, for Saturday's special day of events.

"I'll be up front, and I think all people here are a bit like me. We've all caught Andersen fever to some degree," she says as she walks along the 18th century cobblestone road where the Hans Christian Andersen museum is located.

The town is bathed in a festive atmosphere, with Danish red-and-white flags ...