Denmark Sends The Little Mermaid to Shanghai

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Copenhagen’s statue
of The Little Mermaid, known from H.C. Andersen’s fairytale, began her
journey to Shanghai on March 25. Once there she is to be part of EXPO 2010 in
Shanghai. This means that around 70 million people will experience the iconic
symbol of the Danish capital.

She has been beheaded twice and has had her arm cut off, but The Little
Mermaid has never left her native country. On March 25 The Little Mermaid
began her journey around the world to be part of the world exhibition EXPO
2010 in Shanghai from 1 May to 31 October 2010.

Her departure was marked by a Danish/Chinese ceremony at Langelinie,
where the Minister for Economic and Business Affairs, Brian Mikkelsen, and
the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, wished her bon voyage.

Mermaid brings Danish lifestyle

The Little Mermaid will be situated in the Harbour Pool in the centre of
the Danish Pavilion at EXPO 2010. Here visitors get the opportunity to try
some of the best aspects of Danish city life themselves. They can ride around
the Danish Pavilion on a city bike like a true Copenhagener or have a picnic
on the roof top.

The loan of The Little Mermaid is part of a cultural exchange between
Denmark and China. While in Shanghai, world renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei
has created a video installation to be installed at her spot – so tourists
visiting the waterfront of Copenhagen won’t be disappointed.

Brian Mikkelsen, Minister for Economic and Business Affairs:

– We participate in EXPO 2010 to brand Denmark and Danish values to the
Chinese and all visitors from around the world who visit the Danish Pavilion.
Our loan of the Little Mermaid to China shows that we Danes are interested in
other cultures and want to share our art and cultural treasures with them.

Frank Jensen, Lord Mayor of the City of Copenhagen:

– We are proud to lend the Little Mermaid to China. I am convinced that
she will be an excellent ambassador of Denmark, particularly since the
Chinese already are very fond of Hans Christian Andersen and his fairytales.
At the same time I am delighted that Ai Weiwei’s video installation will make
it possible for the Danes to follow her throughout her journey.

    Photos to be downloaded shortly after The Little Mermaids departure:

http://www.copenhagenmediacenter.com/CMC.aspx#/tag/mermaid/

    Facts and history of The Little Mermaid:

http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/mermaid

    For video footage:

For free broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please
visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/denmark. The videos will be uploaded after
the departure of The Little Mermaid. If you are a first-time user, please
take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email
journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com. If you need assistance, contact Sanne
Olsen, Wonderful Copenhagen, sol@woco.dk or call: +45-33-55-74-39.

    Further information:
    Erik Ljunggren, Press Secretary
    Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs
    tel +45-4018-4346 elj@oem.dk

SOURCE Wonderful Copenhagen