COPENHAGEN, Aug 4 — Denmark is getting ready to celebrate the 100th birthday of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue, unveiled on August 23, 1913. The Danish capital is celebrating the anniversary with a host of special cultural events and activities.
Just as Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and New York has the Statue of Liberty, the city of Copenhagen in Denmark is symbolised by the mermaid statue that has long stood over its port. This statue, a depiction of the heroine in Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, is getting ready to turn 100.
Marking the occasion, real live ‘mermaids’ will come out to meet the general public from August 23 (the anniversary date) through September 6. The mermaids will host cultural events in cites throughout Europe and the world, including Hamburg, Amsterdam, London, Oslo, Rome, Beijing, Shanghai, Stockholm, Sydney and Tokyo.
While the mermaids are travelling the globe, Copenhagen remains an attractive destination for a number of cultural events and festivals taking place during the same period.
Copenhagen Cooking
From August 23 to September 1, the Danish capital will host Copenhagen Cooking, a gourmet event honouring contemporary Scandinavian cooking. Visitors can participate in workshops for children, enjoy a convivial meal at the long tables set up along the canals or taste a gourmet hot dog from DØP.
Website: www.copenhagencooking.com
Art Copenhagen
From August 30 to September 1, Copenhagen’s contemporary art fair will take place at the Forum. Over 57 galleries will present their latest works to visitors. This annual meeting remains one of the best ways to get a feel for the latest developments in the Danish art scene.
Website: artcopenhagen.dk/
Museum District
Opened in 2013, the Parkmuseerne or “museum district” is home to many of Copenhagen’s most notable cultural institutions, including the Danish National Gallery and Natural History Museum, the Rosenborg castle, and the Hirschsprung Collection, among others. To get from one site to another, all of which feature seasonal exhibits and events, visitors stroll through the Botanical Garden, the Kings Garden and the Østre Anlæg.
Website: www.parkmuseerne.dk — AFP/Relaxnews
