Hans Christian Andersen 2005, a global celebration of the bicentennial of Hans Christian Andersen’s birth, was launched at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 27, 2004.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is conducting an official visit to China from February 24-28, appointed seven of China’s most prominent personalities in the fields of arts, sport and entertainment as Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors. They are: senior translator Lin Hua, producer Wang Wenzhang, actor Zhang Jinlai, television hostess Ju Ping, singer Song Zuying, musician Sun Yan and athlete Yao Ming.

 

The international celebration started with an elegant dance, "The Flower Festival in Genzano," from the Royal Danish Ballet, as journalists from around the world snapped pictures. The Hebei Opera Academy performed its adaptation of Andersen’s fairytale, The Wild Swans.

 

 

Ever since preliminary plans were made for the event, China has been targeted as a main venue for celebrations, said Prime Minister Rasmussen at the opening ceremony. He pointed to the longstanding diplomatic relations -- established in 1950 -- which had enabled the two countries to build a tradition of economic and cultural collaboration. Rasmussen said that even more important in this context was the profound appreciation of the Chinese people for the works of Hans Christian Andersen.

 

 

In fact, Hans Christian Andersen and the little match-seller he created with his pen have been household words in China since a collection of the great master’s fairytales was published here in 1955. Although he was born to a poor family and died in disease and poverty, Andersen told to the world stories of love, care and courage with wisdom, wit, humor and a special poetic beauty.

 

Senior translator Lin Hua, who has made outstanding translations of all of Andersen’s fairytales directly from Danish into Chinese, once said, "It is not so precise to say that all Chinese know him, but it is true that as soon as Hans Christian Andersen is mentioned, many, many Chinese know The Little Match Girl, The Little Mermaid and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

 

Ju Ping, the hostess of many top children’s programs on China Central Television (CCTV), said, "I feel happy and honored to be appointed as an Andersen ambassador. I hope I can help to bring Hans Christian Andersen to more Chinese children." Ju recorded all of Andersen’s fairytales on 40 tape cassettes in 1993 for the benefit of children who cannot read. Said Ju, "All of Andersen’s stories have deep meanings. For example, The Ugly Duckling tells us how to grow up in an unpleasant situation, and The Emperor’s New Clothes makes clear to children the value of speaking the truth."

 

Now CCTV is planning to shoot a variety of programs about Andersen, including adapted TV plays. "I hope these fairytales can be presented in more artistic forms," Ju said. "Certainly great efforts are needed in adapting these stories. We must pay attention to the combination of Chinese and Western styles." Ju also announced that she will attend some activities such as community art events for children, cultural performances and exhibitions. In 2005 she will travel to Odense, Andersen’s hometown, following her first visit there in 1990.

 

Both Ju and Zhang Jinlai -- who is better known among Chinese audiences as Liuxiao Lingtong, the actor who played Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, in Journey to the West -- grew up with Andersen’s tales. "I will read all of his fairytales again to fulfill my task as an Andersen ambassador," Zhang said. "Also, I will participate in some other promotion activities." Zhang is also a cultural ambassador for promoting the image of the Monkey King around the world.

 

As the Danish Prime Minister announced the appointment of basketball star Yao Ming, the audience was surprised to see a huge poster of the 227-centimeter (7’5") Houston Rockets center brought forward. Yao Ming is in the United States preparing for a game and was unable to attend the opening ceremonies.

 

Song Zuying, known throughout China for such sweet songs such as "Spice Sister," "Beautiful Life" and "Love for my China," was also absent.

 

 

 

Folk artist and paper-cutter Lu Xue presented one of her works to the Danish Prime Minister and his wife. "It is from the Ugly Duckling that I draw my courage to face the world," she said. Last year, 112 of her Andersen fairytale series of paper-cuttings were placed in the permanent collection of the Han Christian Andersen Museum in Denmark.

 

At the opening ceremony, Secretary General of the Hans Christian Andersen 2005 Foundation Lars Seeberg listed the events that will held in China to celebrate the bicentennial. They include a contemporary art exhibition inspired by Andersen, five drama-documentaries on Andersen to be broadcast on national Chinese television, an acrobatic show based on the artistic interpretation of Andersen’s work by the renowned Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, new translations of selected works by Lin Hua, the feature film, Peach Blossom, based on Andersen’s Under the Willow Tree and a tour of China and the Far East by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.

 

Seeberg stated that if any country has as great a love for Andersen as Denmark, it is China. This is demonstrated, he said, by the overwhelming interest China has shown in the international bicentennial celebrations.

 

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Li Jinhui, February 28, 2004)