A Visit to the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen

I was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and whenever I return to this beautiful city, I’m drawn towards The Little Mermaid. She brings back warm, childhood memories spent in Denmark with my best friend, Lilian.

Those who see The Little Mermaid for the first time are always surprised by how small she is; only 4.1 feet.

She is to Copenhagen what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, and has been a major tourist attraction since 1913. Since the mid-1960s, this poor statue has been subjected to vandalism for various political reasons, but has each time been restored. Her head was sawn off and stolen in 1964, and was never found. It was replaced, and in 1998, the poor Little Mermaid was decapitated once again. This time her head was returned anonymously to a local TV station. In 2003, explosives knocked her off her base and she was later found in the harbor’s waters.

She was then draped in a burqa in 2004, as a statement against Turkey joining the European Union.

She’s endured several traumatic events, including green paint poured all over her, a dildo placed in her hand, and the words March 8 written on her. It’s believed this vandalism was connected to International Women’s Day, which is on March 8th.

Here are some photos from my one day touring Copenhagen.

Close to The Little Mermaid is the Queen’s winter residence, Amalienborg Palace with her guards marching in front. I’ve often wondered what those guards must be thinking of while standing still for hours. Here is a YouTube video of the changing of the Royal Guard.

There are several wonderful pedestrian streets in Copenhagen. Illum is a favorite department store with an open air restaurant on the rooftop.

Most Danes love their bikes. Here is how young people transport their kids. I cannot imagine father’s taking their kids to the grocery store in one of these where I live in California.

I shall be in Paris on May 16th to announce the winner of the May “My Gutsy Story®,” and since we are taking a break from the “My Gutsy Story®” series in May, I hope all of you will submit your own “My Gutsy Story®.”

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