H.C. Andersen centret

1838

February - 23rd March

HCA translates Raimund's Der Verschwender from German to Danish, to be used by the actors for summer performances. But Overskou beat him to it with Raimund's Der Alpenhönig und der Menschenfeind, a piece which was, however, only performed twice. This fiasco meant that the actors were reluctant to take on yet another piece by Raimund. Indeed, both plays were characterised by the theatre's censor, Molbech, as "melodramatic", which meant that neither was added to the repertoire of the theatre. HCA's translation was neither used nor printed. Not until 1849 did HCA get an adaptation of Raimund's work on the stage in Copenhagen. It was Meer end Perler og Guld (More than Pearls and Gold) and became one of his great successes at the Casino theatre.

11 February

For recitation at an evening of entertainment at the Royal Theatre, arranged as a benefit for the blind, HCA had written, amongst other things, the poem "Mene, mene tekel upharsin". The poem is about three major fires that had taken place abroad; the castle in St. Petersburg, the theatre in Paris and the stock exchange in London. The general theme of the poem is that only the richness of the spirit will survive, while all else withers away, including national characteristics. For example, the powerdemonstration of Russian despotism, the theatre as a mirror of widespread French preoccupation with pleasure and the worship of the golden calf so prevalent in England and Europe.

The poem had been practised for recitation on the stage, but was prohibited by the directors of the theatre. "They say it is too political" (letter dated 23rd February to Frederik Læssøe). HCA was shocked by the censuring and considered the poem "quite innocent" (letterdated 10th February to Henriette Hanck). He presented Prince Christian with a copy of the poem (probably so as to demonstrate his "political innocence") and was able to tell Henriette Hanck (letter, 10th February 1838) that "It has already been widely discussed here in town". In protest of the censorship, HCA intended to have the poem printed, along with the theatre letter from the theatre board of directors, but was advised against it.

Late March

Release of a popular magazine which includes a reproduction of the portrait of HCA made by C.A. Jensen. HCA comments on this in a letter to Henriette Hanck dated 1st April:

"Just lately, some sort of magazine has been released. The title is: New Magazine For Nature and Knowledge of Humananity. Hempel [a bookseller in Odense] can get it for you for four farthings, if you ask him. Each issue presents someone famous, and would you believe it, there I am in the latest issue, along with my portrait, for the same four farthings. The portrait is based on Jensen's, but looks ghastly. It's awful, I am a monster. All the same, I find it quite amusing to be featured in a popular magazine; it seems I am a little popular, after all [...] My landlady has pinned it on the wall and the maid has it in her trunk."