Mermaid sculpture coming to Shanghai Expo

The Little Mermaid sculpture, a symbol of Copenhagen, left Denmark on Thursday night and began its journey to Shanghai where it will entertain World Expo visitors throughout the 184-day cultural gala.

The popular tourist draw is expected to arrive in China early next month, where it will sit in the center of a basin surrounded by a pool of seawater, just as it does in the Danish capital.

Other European attractions to be shown at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo include historic artwork from pioneers such as Auguste Rodin and Vincent Van Gogh at the France pavilion.

Thursday's departure was celebrated with a goodbye ceremony, where dancers performed and children sang in Danish and Chinese.

After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Little Mermaid was lifted away from its spot at the harbor and driven away from the area. It will be revealed to the public in Shanghai at the end of April.

Reported by 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Shanghai World Expo