Hans Christian Andersen theme park scheduled for Shanghai
China appears to have developed an interest for the fairy tale world of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
A theme park dedicated to the writer’s work is scheduled to open in Shanghai to coincide with the World Expo in May 2010, it was announced Friday.
Yang Wenyan, the project’s media partner and director of the Chinese Haha kid’s channel, said the eight hectare attraction will feature the celebrated author’s stories such as the Little Mermaid, the Emperor’s New Clothes and the Ugly Duckling.
Yang said the park is set for a launch on May 11, timed to go hand and hand with the activities of the World Expo. He added that the attraction’s opening marks the 60th year of diplomatic relations between Denmark and China.
Denmark has promised the park a copy of the famous Andersen bronze statue which decorates the front entrance area of Copenhagen city hall.
The Hans Christian Andersen park will be located in the northeast suburbs of the Chinese financial hub. The project was first revealed in August 2006, but was postponed because of financing difficulties, according to Chinese media.
Shanghai Gujing Investment and Development Co Ltd, the project’s most important investor, has not divulged any budget information, but it has been said that the attraction costs around $12.5-millionto develop.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s involvement with the World Expo is scheduled to also include another icon; Copenhagen’s famous sculpture of the Little Mermaid will be shipped to Shanghai and will be featured as the centrepiece of Denmark’s pavilion.
Hans Christian Andersen (1805 –1875) was a Danish poet and author celebrated the world over for his famous children’s stories.
During Andersen’s lifetime, the author was acclaimed for delighting kids worldwide. His poetry and fairy tales have been translated into more than 150 languages.