I'm writing this entry because for the World EXPO in Shanghai next year, the Danish designers of the nordic pavillion decide to temporarily relocate our beloved "little mermaid" so that she could be the centerpiece of the Danish decoration. Furthermore, water from the Danish harbour will also be n display around her. I guess regular Chinese water won't do when the designers have made up their mind about everything being Danish and most importantly that we do not lose the "Danish feel"
How on earth did they come up with that idea in the first place? Physically moving a national monument out of it's place and transport it to another country. Somewhre it just doesn't seem right in my eyes but then again, I'm just another citizen among many.
Yes, I can definetely see it from another viewpoint that by moving her to China also gives not only the mermaid but also the kingdom of Denmark a lot of exposure. Say, if we get 1 million tourists per year to come then by taking her to the world expo means that she could be viewed by aprox. 70 million people. Yes, I get that it's a wonderful opportunity especially for people who aren't fortunate to go travelling or go to Denmark to get to see her. It's clearly also a sign of goodwill to be taking an original monument to another country to improve on international relations.
But I give you here the other options that tourists will have, should they happen to be in Copenhagen next year from May to October:
This statue is made by sculptor Anne-Marie Carl-Nielsen, wife of composer Carl Nielsen and will be replacing the little mermaid but she will be situated in front of the Royal library instead. It's an interesting figure, the eyes are wide open, almost panicking and her mouth looks like she's gasping for air.
In case you didn't know, there are many canals around Copenhagen and right next to a bridge in the canal are these stone figures from the old poem/song: Agnete and the merman.
It shows the woman Agnete with her husband and their 7 children dancing around in the water, at night it's illuminated and for people who don't know about it, it can be a weird vision. The first time I thought someone had jumped in and they had sunk to the bottom, mind you I was 7 years old. So I do not have the fondest memories when it comes to this one.
Last but not least only a 10-minute walk from where the original mermaid is situated, there is a small square called the genetically modified paradise. In the water of the quay there is the result of Bjørn Nørgaards mermaid. Quite interesting, I'll have to take some more pictures of the statues around but for now I only have a pic of the mermaid.
So if you're thinking about coming to Denmark next year don't expect to see THE mermaid, instead there will be these other options available shown above. But then again Denmark isn't just about a statue...or is it?
As for me, I still think it's weird just moving a monument but then again, maybe I just need some time to wrap my head around it...
