Denmark celebrates its National Pavilion Day today with music, song and dance. Both Chinese and Danish artists will perform.
Denmark and China have witnessed long-term friendship and Danish government and enterprises have all taken an active part in the 2010 World Expo to make it the most ambitious participation in the country's history, Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik said at this morning's ceremony in the Expo Center.
He hoped visitors would appreciate the country's dreamlike scenery and the harmonious co-existence between its people and nature, particularly its practice in green transportation, energy-saving and emission cuts via the pavilion's showcase.
The Little Mermaid's first journey outside of the country signals the hope of furthering the friendly exchange and communication between Denmark and China, he said.
Yin Yicui, deputy secretary of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China, said although China and Denmark are far apart, the showcase of the Denmark Pavilion and the celebration of its Pavilion Day provide a chance for visitors to learn more about Danish people, their culture and lifestyle as well as the country's experience in balancing the development of city and nature.
With a theme of "Welfairytales" - combining welfare and fairy tales - stories about modern Denmark feature efforts to create sustainable urban development and welfare solutions.
Zone C showcases a fairytale world with the Little Mermaid, the country's symbolic statue, making its first visit to Shanghai.
Created in 1913 to honor the character created by Hans Christian Andersen, the bronze Little Mermaid usually sits on a stone at the edge of Copenhagen's harbor.
The pavilion is arranged like a fairytale in three chapters: the story of Denmark's cities, the story of its people and the story of Danish technology and solutions for future urban living.
There's a play area for children and the family can enjoy a picnic on the rooftop garden.
