Heirs of Little Mermaid sculptor to loan out statue copy to Tivoli while the real deal goes to Shanghai

Even though the Little Mermaid is getting ready for her maiden voyage to China, tourists and locals will still be left with a reminder of their most famous statue next year.

The heirs of Little Mermaid sculptor Edvard Eriksen have decided to loan out their personal replica of the statue to the Tivoli Gardens while the original is in Shanghai.

The statue is planning to be removed from her perch on Langelinie Quay and used in the Danish pavilion at the World Expo, taking place in Shanghai between May and October next year.

But the family’s copy will be on display at the picturesque Tivoli Gardens lake from 16 April until the autumn holidays, when the amusement park traditionally closes.

Alice Eriksen, the sculptor’s granddaughter, said she felt sure her grandmother, who had posed for the original sculpture, would have wanted the copy to be placed in Tivoli Gardens.