The Bibliotheca Alexandrina celebrates the Bicentenary of Hans Christian Andersen
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Alexandria, 10 January 2005—In celebration of the bicentenary of the great Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen (HCA) (1805–1875), the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), in collaboration with the Danish Embassy in Egypt, is preparing a celebration at BA on 13 January 2005. H.R.H. Prince Joachim of Denmark, accompanied by Ambassador Bjarne H. Srensen, Danish Ambassador to Cairo, and Mr. Erland Kolding Nielsen, Director-General of the Danish Royal Library, will be attending the celebration.
During the celebration, HCA Foundation is nominating Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, as HCA Honorary Ambassador. Moreover, the HCA Foundation, the Danish Royal Library, and HCA Museum are donating the BA a collection of the Arabic version of the HCA children fairy tales, as well as a collection of high technology audio-visual material, and 26 short movies inspired from HCA children fairy tales.
It is worth mentioning that this is the second time BA receives a donation from Denmark. The first was on 16 October 2002, during the opening ceremony of BA, when the famous Danish trumpeter/composer, Palle Mikkelborg, composed and played a musical note called To read is to dream and his wife Helen Davies was harp conductor.
During this bicentenary, Denmark is organizing many different cultural activities in commemoration of the great Danish writer, HCA, as of 2 April 2005. The activities consist of literature celebrations, theater performances, music, movies, television programs, exhibitions, art museums, galleries, in addition to intellectual activities and opera performances.
The HCA Foundation, in collaboration with the Municipal Council of the town of Odense (where HCA was born), Danish Ministries of Economic and Business Affairs and of Culture; the Bikuben Fund and the Funen County Council, have sponsored the celebration by donating 26 million Euros.
HCA is one of the greatest writers and his works were translated into many languages. He has entertained many generations especially with his children fairy tales. Among some of his famous writings are The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Princess and the Pea.
For more information on the HCA 2005 celebrations, visit: http://www.hca2005.com.
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| Hans Christian Anderson |