Among the travel wonders of the Danish capital, Copenhagen, rich in castles, canals and Viking history, it is difficult to understand how the tiny statue of the Little Mermaid, immortalised in Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, continues to maintain top billing.Much like Brussel’s famous Manneken Pis, the statue is surprisingly small at little over a metre. Its small stature does not prevent the constant snapping of cameras as visitors make their brief pilgrimage to view the Little Mermaid, many surprised and even disappointed by how small it is. Perched awkwardly on a small rock in Copenhagen Harbour, the statue has apparently had a rough life, twice decapitated and vandalised with paint on several other occasions.
Every August 23, the mermaid celebrates her official birthday (the statue was built in 1913) with a small army of locals (equivalent to the birthday number) jumping in the water releasing red and white balloons and forming a human number of her birthday in the water. So 2009 will see 96 keen folks form the number ‘96” in the chilly water.Like most iconic sights, if you are in Copenhagen, the stroll to the travel wonder of the Little Mermaid is worth it - just don't set your expectations too high.
Photo Source: 91st Birthday
