Since its unveiling in 1913, Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue has been a frequent target of intentional damage, reflecting its symbolic significance and becoming a canvas for political and cultural expression.

The earliest major incident occurred in 1964 when the statue’s head was stolen and never recovered.

This act marked the beginning of a pattern of vandalism that continued over the decades.

In 1984, the statue’s arm was deliberately cut off, further mutilating the artwork.

In 1998, the statue’s head was stolen again but was fortunately returned and restored.

The most severe physical attack happened in 2003 when explosives detonated under the statue, blowing it off its base and into the harbor, demonstrating the intensity of the symbolic gestures behind some of the vandalism.

Beyond physical mutilations, the statue has endured numerous acts of graffiti and paint-based protests.

For instance, in 2017, it was doused in red paint to protest against whale hunting, transforming the statue into a vivid statement on environmental and animal rights concerns.

In 2020, amid the global George Floyd protests, the statue was spray-painted with the phrase “racist fish.”

Although the original fairy tale behind the statue has no racial connotations, this act of vandalism reflected contemporary debates and social discourse on race and justice.

More recently, in 2023, the statue’s base was painted with the colors of the Russian flag amid the ongoing Ukraine war, illustrating how international political conflicts also find a voice through acts of defacement on this Copenhagen landmark.

The responsible individuals behind many of these acts often remain unidentified, but the motivations typically tie to political, social, or cultural protest.

These repeated attacks on the Little Mermaid demonstrate how a beloved cultural icon can also serve as an outlet for counter-cultural and protest expressions, mirroring Denmark’s and the world’s evolving social and political climates.

Since its unveiling in 1913, Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue has been a frequent target of intentional damage, reflecting its symbolic significance and becoming a canvas for political and cultural expression.

Title:

Content: Danish little mermaid like cornerstone painted Russian flag tricolor
A statue of the Little Mermaid, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Danish capital Copenhagen, was deliberately vandalized last night, and the cornerstone below the statue was painted with the white, blue and red colors of the Russian flag.
Advertisement
The Little Mermaid comes from the famous fairy tale of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, where the stone beneath the bronze statue is painted in three colors of the Russian flag.
Copenhagen police told Agence France-Presse that since they arrived this morning, "a case of vandalism has been filed" and "local investigations have been launched to trace traces".
It is clear that this means supporting Moscow ’ s position in the Ukraine war.
Some tourists, puzzled by this, took pictures of the damaged statue this morning.
The 175-kilogram Little Mermaid is a work by sculptor Edvard Eriksen, inspired by the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen ’ s 1837 fairy tale of the same name.
The statue, which sits next to a relatively secluded waterfront walkway, has been vandalized several times over the years, including two burglaries of its head in 1964 and 1998, and a severed arm in 1984. In 2003, the statue was blown loose with explosives and fell into the bay.
It has also been graffitied and painted several times, most recently in 2020 with the words “racist fish. ”

The earliest major incident occurred in 1964 when the statue’s head was stolen and never recovered.

Title:

Content: Unknown people draw Russian flag on a statue of a mermaid in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN (AFP) - The iconic Little Mermaid statue in the Danish capital Copenhagen was vandalized on Wednesday night as unidentified people painted the Russian flag on its base.
Announcement
An AFP correspondent reported that the Russian flag was painted under unknown circumstances on the stone above which a statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by the heroine of one of the stories of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, was installed.
Danish police said they were launching an investigation into the incident, without giving any indication of the source of the move, which shows clear support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP: "We are investigating the area in order to find any evidence."
A small number of tourists in the area took pictures of the statue in the port of Copenhagen, which was vandalized on Thursday morning.
The Little Mermaid statue on a largely unfrequented promenade has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.
In 1964, the head of the nymph was stolen for the first time without being recovered.
In 1998, a group of vandals cut off the head of the statue again, but it was later restored.
This monument was exposed to the explosion in 2003.
The statue, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has also been targeted several times with graffiti or graffiti, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish ”.

This act marked the beginning of a pattern of vandalism that continued over the decades.

Title:

Content: Russian Flag Painted on Copenhagen's Most Famous Landmark

It's the latest in a long line of attacks on Little Mermaid statue
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2023 10:15 AM CST

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most famous landmarks, has been vandalized yet again, this time with the Russian flag. Authorities said Thursday that the white, blue, and red stripes of the Russian flag were painted on the stone the statue sits on, Reuters reports. Police said the vandalism was discovered early Thursday. "We are of course launching an investigation to find out who did it and when and how it happened," a police spokesman said, per Jyllands-Posten.

Denmark, like other European nations, has strongly criticized Russia's war against Ukraine. The small statue, a tribute to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, sits off a waterfront promenade in the Danish capital. It has been vandalized many times since it was installed 110 years ago, AFP reports. It has been decapitated twice and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003. In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting. In 2020, during worldwide protests after the death of George Floyd, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base, though Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale. (Read more The Little Mermaid stories.)

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In 1984, the statue’s arm was deliberately cut off, further mutilating the artwork.

In 1998, the statue’s head was stolen again but was fortunately returned and restored.

The most severe physical attack happened in 2003 when explosives detonated under the statue, blowing it off its base and into the harbor, demonstrating the intensity of the symbolic gestures behind some of the vandalism.

Beyond physical mutilations, the statue has endured numerous acts of graffiti and paint-based protests.

For instance, in 2017, it was doused in red paint to protest against whale hunting, transforming the statue into a vivid statement on environmental and animal rights concerns.

In 2020, amid the global George Floyd protests, the statue was spray-painted with the phrase “racist fish.”

Although the original fairy tale behind the statue has no racial connotations, this act of vandalism reflected contemporary debates and social discourse on race and justice.

More recently, in 2023, the statue’s base was painted with the colors of the Russian flag amid the ongoing Ukraine war, illustrating how international political conflicts also find a voice through acts of defacement on this Copenhagen landmark.

The responsible individuals behind many of these acts often remain unidentified, but the motivations typically tie to political, social, or cultural protest.

Title:

Content: Danish police investigate who “spoiled ” the famous monument to the Little Mermaid with the colors of the Russian flag
03.03.2023, 7: 15, Misc
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On the pedestal of the famous statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, a Russian tricolor appeared, says The Guardian.
The Danish police have launched an investigation into such an “act of vandalism ”, which is perceived as a sign of support in the Ukrainian conflict.
AP
In Copenhagen, unknown people painted the foundation of the statue of the Mermaid in Copenhagen in the colors of the Russian flag, writes The Guardian.
According to the publication, the tricolor appeared on Thursday night on the stone, which serves as a pedestal for the famous Danish monument.
The police in Copenhagen said that law enforcement officers visited the crime scene and registered an “act of vandalism ”.
The police began an investigation and are trying to find “evidence ”.
The actions of unknown persons are perceived as a sign of support for the Kremlin in the Ukrainian conflict.
The article notes that the statue of the Little Mermaid weighing 175 kg was created by sculptor Edward Eriksen, who was inspired by the main character of the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.
The monument suffered from vandals many times: in 1964 her head was stolen, in 1984 her hand was cut off, in 1998 her head was stolen again, but later returned, and in 2003 the statue was blown up.
In addition, the Little Mermaid has been painted or signed many times.
The last time it happened in 2020, when it appeared the mysterious inscription “Racist fish ”, writes The Guardian.
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These repeated attacks on the Little Mermaid demonstrate how a beloved cultural icon can also serve as an outlet for counter-cultural and protest expressions, mirroring Denmark’s and the world’s evolving social and political climates.

Title:

Content: Entertainment.
2023-10-24 18: 46: 47
The Wax Statue "Wash White" was criticized and discriminated against Dewi Johnson God responded: Lost "Little Fish Fairy"?
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Dwayne Johnson has a perfect muscular physique, dark complexion, and a number of blockbuster movies, making him a Hollywood star.
The Grevin Museum in Paris displayed his wax image yesterday, which was criticized for being racially discriminatory because of its white skin.
Netizens also questioned the French deliberately "whitewashed" Davy, making him white, indirectly insinuating people of color.
"Little Fish Fairy"
Because the wax image received a lot of negative reviews, the black father of David finally made a voice, sharing on the social network comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr. made fun of the wax image, and leaving a message: "I know my son James Jefferson made fun of the wax image, is this how you feel when you lose" The Little Mermaid "Disney animation is a white person. The film stars black actress Halle Bailey, which has been controversial. Devi left a message on IG today, and has contacted the Grevan Museum in Paris to learn about the incident, asking them to modify the skin color of the wax statue.
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The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and installed in 1913, is an iconic cultural landmark inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale.

Weighing approximately 175 kilograms, the bronze sculpture depicts a mermaid poised on a rock by the waterfront promenade in Copenhagen.

Despite its serene and contemplative appearance, the statue has become a frequent and symbolic target of intentional damage and vandalism over the decades.

This report chronicles the notable incidents of deliberate damage inflicted on the statue, explores the motives and cultural contexts behind these attacks, and reflects on the recurring themes of protest, social commentary, and counter-culture expressions that underpin its troubled history.

The first significant recorded incident took place in 1964 when the statue’s head was stolen.

This marked the beginning of a pattern of decapitations and physical defacements that would repeat multiple times.

The removal of the head—a bold and symbolic act—elicited public dismay, and authorities undertook restoration to replace and reattach the piece.

The perpetrator(s) were not publicly identified, and the motivations remain unclear, though such acts are frequently interpreted as symbolic challenges to national icons .

In 1984, the statue suffered another violent physical attack when one of its arms was severed and stolen.

As with the earlier decapitation, restoration efforts were promptly initiated to repair the damage and maintain the statue's integrity.

The culprits were not publicly known, and no specific claims were made to explain the act's motive.

This incident reinforced concerns about the statue’s vulnerability due to its isolated location by the harbor, provoking discussions among officials on enhancing protection measures .

The decapitation recurred in 1998 when the statue’s head was stolen again.

Fortunately, this time the head was recovered and restored relatively quickly at the request of authorities and local cultural institutions, underscoring the statue’s importance to Copenhagen’s cultural identity.

The motive behind this repeated decapitation remains uncertain, although it is often interpreted within a broader context of anarchistic or anti-tourism sentiments.

Speculation exists in local circles and media about whether these acts were intended as political statements or mere vandalism, but definitive evidence is lacking .

One of the most severe acts of vandalism occurred in 2003, when explosives were used to blow the statue off its base, causing it to fall into the harbor.

This explosion inflicted substantial structural damage, marking a significant escalation from theft or paint-based protest to outright destruction.

The statue required major restoration, including cleaning, reattachment, and reinforcement to withstand future attacks.

The Copenhagen police condemned the attack and increased security measures, but no perpetrators were publicly identified.

Media and cultural commentators speculated that the bombing might have been politically motivated, serving as a dramatic gesture of dissent against established cultural symbols .

Following this, the statue frequently became a canvas for paint-based protests and graffiti, often conveying political or social messages.

In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting, with the red color symbolizing blood and violence.

Activists using the statue in this way aimed to highlight animal rights issues, linking the iconic figure of the mermaid—a creature associated with the sea—to contemporary environmental causes.

The act received broad media coverage and reignited debates on balancing cultural preservation with freedom of expression .

In 2020, during global protests following the murder of George Floyd and the rising movement against systemic racism, the statue was painted with the words "racist fish."

This provocative slogan reflected how the statue had evolved into a politically charged symbol beyond its original fairy tale origins.

Scholars of Andersen’s fairy tale emphasize that the narrative contains no explicit racist content, making the vandalism a form of social commentary or protest expression that sparked discussions on the intersection of cultural symbols and contemporary issues.

Authorities investigated the incident, underscoring the challenge of reconciling the statue’s status as both a tourist icon and a site for political messaging .

In March 2023, the base of the statue was painted with the colors of the Russian flag—white, blue, and red—in an act widely interpreted as a political statement supporting Moscow amid Denmark’s criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This form of politically motivated vandalism illustrates the statue’s continuing role as a proxy site for international geopolitical conflicts and ideological debates.

Authorities launched investigations; however, as with many prior cases, the perpetrators remained unidentified.

The incident sparked public discourse about the statue’s symbolic significance and raised concerns about the politicization of cultural heritage sites .

Throughout these events, public and official responses have consistently included police investigations, public condemnations, and detailed restoration efforts.

After each major damage incident — especially decapitations and the 2003 bombing — conservators undertook systematic cleaning, reattachment, and in some cases, reinforcement of the sculpture and its base.

The repeated restoration efforts highlight a commitment to preserving the statue as a treasured national symbol, despite its vulnerability and repeated attacks.

Local authorities have also periodically increased security patrols and surveillance, though the statue’s somewhat isolated and exposed location continues to make these protective measures challenging .

Local community perspectives on the vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue reveal a complex relationship between cultural pride and recognition of the statue as a persistent target for dissent.

Many Copenhagen residents and Danish citizens view the statue as an emblem of their national heritage and artistic achievement.

However, the repeated attacks have become almost folkloric, breeding a series of urban legends and myths regarding the identity and motives of the vandals.

Some narratives speculate whether underground activist groups or foreign political agents are responsible, though no verified evidence supports these claims.

The cycle of vandalism and restoration has also spurred debates about the statue’s role in contemporary Copenhagen—whether it should be more heavily guarded, relocated, or even reinterpreted as a site of resistance and dialogue [local cultural commentaries; noted in media archives].

These anecdotes, though sometimes lacking robust verification, contribute to the public’s fascination and the statue’s allure as a contested cultural artifact.

The persistent recurrence of vandalism feeds an urban legend motif portraying the statue as both fragile and defiant, embodying contradictions between preservation and provocation.

In summary, the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen is emblematic not only of Danish culture and artistic history but also of the tensions inherent in public art as a site of political, social, and counter-cultural contestation.

The chronology of intentional damages is as follows: the 1964 decapitation; the 1984 arm severance; the 1998 decapitation with subsequent recovery; the 2003 bombing with explosives; the 2017 red paint protest against whale hunting; the 2020 “racist fish” graffiti linked to racial justice protests; and the politically motivated 2023 Russian flag painting on the statue’s base.

Each act of vandalism carried unique motives — ranging from anarchistic defiance and political protest to environmental activism — together weaving a narrative of social commentary embedded in urban space.

Public and official responses have balanced condemnation with determination to restore and preserve, recognizing the statue’s symbolic and touristic value.

Moreover, local perspectives and folklore enshrine the statue within Copenhagen’s cultural imagination as a site continually negotiated between reverence and rebellion .

This multifaceted legacy affirms the Little Mermaid as a crucial inclusion in any cultural or counter-culture walking tour in Copenhagen, offering visitors insight into how public art can serve as a living dialogue between history, identity, protest, and urban expression.

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and installed in 1913, is an iconic cultural landmark inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale.

Title:

Content: Fairytale-like European city is 'spellbinding' and has 'something for everyone'

A beautiful European town is a destination full to the brim of exciting and interesting things to do.

By Paul Tregunna, Travel and Lifestyle Reporter

Nyhavn has become synonymous with Copenhagen (Image: Getty)

The Nordic countries are perhaps the closest opportunity travellers have to transport themselves into their very own fairy tales.

With beautiful cities and charming locals, they are some of the finest countries in the world to visit.

None more so than Denmark, an incredibly friendly country that connects mainland Europe to Scandinavia.

Its capital city, Copenhagen, is one of the continent's most well-known places, yet it isn’t as popular a city break destination as it perhaps should be.

With its colourful houses and lively atmosphere, the iconic area of Nyhavn has become synonymous with Copenhagen.

The colourful houses of Nyhavn are the perfect backdrop to relax and grab a drink (Image: Getty)

A perfect place to kick back and grab a drink by the water, Nyhavn was originally a commercial port welcoming ships from all over the world.

Once home to the legendary writer Hans Christian Andersen, the neighbourhood wouldn't look out of place in a picture book itself.

There are a number of boat trips operating from Nyhavn, offering visitors a chance to explore the sights of Copenhagen by water. It is a great opportunity to get your bearings and spot any attractions you’d like to see up close, whilst providing interesting commentary on the history of this fantastic city.

You can buy tickets for one of the boat trips on the day from Nyhavn, but they can also be purchased online in advance. The prices vary depending on which provider you choose to travel, and tickets should range from around £16-£20 for an hour-long journey.

The Little Mermaid sculpture is a must-see (Image: Getty)
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Hans Christian Andersen’s presence is still felt throughout the city. You have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Danish Author at the Hans Christian Andersen Experience - a charming and interactive museum detailing his life and the fairy tales he penned.

The Hans Christian Andersen Experience is a part of Ripley’s Believe it or Not, an entertaining exhibition on the world’s weirdest and wackiest true stories. You can purchase a combo ticket for both from 206 KR (£23.74) for an adult, and 139 KR (£16.02) for a child aged 4-11.

One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous stories is The Little Mermaid, which was written in 1837 and has subsequently been adapted into a number of films. In the Langelinie area of Copenhagen there is a bronze statue depicting the titular mermaid, unveiled in 1913, which is well worth taking the time to see.

Another of Copenhagen’s most iconic attractions is the spectacular Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

Tivoli Gardens are one of the world's oldest amusement parks (Image: Getty)

With something for everyone, Tivoli has roller coasters, rides, shows and a feel-good atmosphere. If Disney is the ‘happiest place on Earth’, Tivoli mustn't be far behind.

The sheer scale of Tivoli is mind-blowing, and you can easily spend a full day there and not cover everything. There are a number of ticketing options which can be viewed on the Tivoli website, but bear in mind Tivoli Gardens reopens on March 22.

Connected to Tivoli is a superstore specialising in one of Denmark’s most famous exports - LEGO.

The LEGO Store Tivoli Gardens is a must visit for fans of the iconic building blocks, as the highlight of the shop is a station where you can design and make yourself out of LEGO, providing a truly unique memento.

The Church of our Saviour's spectacular spiralling spire offers fantastic views over Copenhagen (Image: Getty)

Standing tall over the city is the spellbinding spire of Our Saviour’s Church, which visitors have the opportunity to climb.

After ascending 400 steps, with the last 150 externally spiralling around the tower, you will be blessed with one of the best views of Copenhagen - some 262 feet in the air.

Entrance to the tower is free, but it is advisable to book online in advance to secure a timeslot. If you aren’t a fan of heights, it’s best you give the climb a miss.

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Weighing approximately 175 kilograms, the bronze sculpture depicts a mermaid poised on a rock by the waterfront promenade in Copenhagen.

Despite its serene and contemplative appearance, the statue has become a frequent and symbolic target of intentional damage and vandalism over the decades.

Title:

Content: Danish little mermaid like cornerstone painted Russian flag tricolor
A statue of the Little Mermaid, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Danish capital Copenhagen, was deliberately vandalized last night, and the cornerstone below the statue was painted with the white, blue and red colors of the Russian flag.
Advertisement
The Little Mermaid comes from the famous fairy tale of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, where the stone beneath the bronze statue is painted in three colors of the Russian flag.
Copenhagen police told Agence France-Presse that since they arrived this morning, "a case of vandalism has been filed" and "local investigations have been launched to trace traces".
It is clear that this means supporting Moscow ’ s position in the Ukraine war.
Some tourists, puzzled by this, took pictures of the damaged statue this morning.
The 175-kilogram Little Mermaid is a work by sculptor Edvard Eriksen, inspired by the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen ’ s 1837 fairy tale of the same name.
The statue, which sits next to a relatively secluded waterfront walkway, has been vandalized several times over the years, including two burglaries of its head in 1964 and 1998, and a severed arm in 1984. In 2003, the statue was blown loose with explosives and fell into the bay.
It has also been graffitied and painted several times, most recently in 2020 with the words “racist fish. ”

This report chronicles the notable incidents of deliberate damage inflicted on the statue, explores the motives and cultural contexts behind these attacks, and reflects on the recurring themes of protest, social commentary, and counter-culture expressions that underpin its troubled history.

Title:

Content: Danish police investigate who “spoiled ” the famous monument to the Little Mermaid with the colors of the Russian flag
03.03.2023, 7: 15, Misc
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Subscribe to Google News
Support at Patreon
On the pedestal of the famous statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, a Russian tricolor appeared, says The Guardian.
The Danish police have launched an investigation into such an “act of vandalism ”, which is perceived as a sign of support in the Ukrainian conflict.
AP
In Copenhagen, unknown people painted the foundation of the statue of the Mermaid in Copenhagen in the colors of the Russian flag, writes The Guardian.
According to the publication, the tricolor appeared on Thursday night on the stone, which serves as a pedestal for the famous Danish monument.
The police in Copenhagen said that law enforcement officers visited the crime scene and registered an “act of vandalism ”.
The police began an investigation and are trying to find “evidence ”.
The actions of unknown persons are perceived as a sign of support for the Kremlin in the Ukrainian conflict.
The article notes that the statue of the Little Mermaid weighing 175 kg was created by sculptor Edward Eriksen, who was inspired by the main character of the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.
The monument suffered from vandals many times: in 1964 her head was stolen, in 1984 her hand was cut off, in 1998 her head was stolen again, but later returned, and in 2003 the statue was blown up.
In addition, the Little Mermaid has been painted or signed many times.
The last time it happened in 2020, when it appeared the mysterious inscription “Racist fish ”, writes The Guardian.
View commentsNo comments
Privacy Policy - GDPR
Site map →
For information cooperation, advertising and publication of ads, write to the address: [email protected]
Support the project:
UMoney- 410011013132383
WebMoney – Z399334682366, E296477880853, X100503068090
18 + © 2002-2022 RYBINSKonLine: All you wanted to know...

The first significant recorded incident took place in 1964 when the statue’s head was stolen.

Title:

Content: Unknown people draw Russian flag on a statue of a mermaid in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN (AFP) - The iconic Little Mermaid statue in the Danish capital Copenhagen was vandalized on Wednesday night as unidentified people painted the Russian flag on its base.
Announcement
An AFP correspondent reported that the Russian flag was painted under unknown circumstances on the stone above which a statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by the heroine of one of the stories of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, was installed.
Danish police said they were launching an investigation into the incident, without giving any indication of the source of the move, which shows clear support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP: "We are investigating the area in order to find any evidence."
A small number of tourists in the area took pictures of the statue in the port of Copenhagen, which was vandalized on Thursday morning.
The Little Mermaid statue on a largely unfrequented promenade has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.
In 1964, the head of the nymph was stolen for the first time without being recovered.
In 1998, a group of vandals cut off the head of the statue again, but it was later restored.
This monument was exposed to the explosion in 2003.
The statue, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has also been targeted several times with graffiti or graffiti, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish ”.

This marked the beginning of a pattern of decapitations and physical defacements that would repeat multiple times.

The removal of the head—a bold and symbolic act—elicited public dismay, and authorities undertook restoration to replace and reattach the piece.

The perpetrator(s) were not publicly identified, and the motivations remain unclear, though such acts are frequently interpreted as symbolic challenges to national icons .

Title:

Content: In Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid painted in the colors of the Russian flag - RIA Novosti, 02.03.2023
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In Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid painted in the colors of the Russian flag
Reuters: In Copenhagen, the base of the statue of the Little Mermaid painted in the colors of the Russian tricolor
© AFP 2023 / Ritzau Scanpix / Ida Marie OdgaardThe Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen with a base painted in the colors of the Russian flag
Statue of the Mermaid in Copenhagen with a painted in the colors of the Russian flag base
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ZURICH, March 2 — RIA Novosti.
The base of the statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, created on the basis of the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, was painted in the colors of the Russian tricolor, Reuters reported.
The Russian flag was found painted on the basis of a statue of the Little Mermaid in Denmark on Thursday, in what police say is a “case of vandalism ” at Copenhagen ’ s most famous landmark and a popular tourist destination.
As specified, the front part of the stone on which the monument is erected is painted.
At the same time, the police still do not know “who is behind this incident. ”
"The answer is on the statue of an angel."
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In 1984, the statue suffered another violent physical attack when one of its arms was severed and stolen.

As with the earlier decapitation, restoration efforts were promptly initiated to repair the damage and maintain the statue's integrity.

The culprits were not publicly known, and no specific claims were made to explain the act's motive.

This incident reinforced concerns about the statue’s vulnerability due to its isolated location by the harbor, provoking discussions among officials on enhancing protection measures .

The decapitation recurred in 1998 when the statue’s head was stolen again.

Fortunately, this time the head was recovered and restored relatively quickly at the request of authorities and local cultural institutions, underscoring the statue’s importance to Copenhagen’s cultural identity.

The motive behind this repeated decapitation remains uncertain, although it is often interpreted within a broader context of anarchistic or anti-tourism sentiments.

Title:

Content: Russian Flag Painted on Copenhagen's Most Famous Landmark

It's the latest in a long line of attacks on Little Mermaid statue
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2023 10:15 AM CST

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most famous landmarks, has been vandalized yet again, this time with the Russian flag. Authorities said Thursday that the white, blue, and red stripes of the Russian flag were painted on the stone the statue sits on, Reuters reports. Police said the vandalism was discovered early Thursday. "We are of course launching an investigation to find out who did it and when and how it happened," a police spokesman said, per Jyllands-Posten.

Denmark, like other European nations, has strongly criticized Russia's war against Ukraine. The small statue, a tribute to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, sits off a waterfront promenade in the Danish capital. It has been vandalized many times since it was installed 110 years ago, AFP reports. It has been decapitated twice and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003. In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting. In 2020, during worldwide protests after the death of George Floyd, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base, though Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale. (Read more The Little Mermaid stories.)

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Speculation exists in local circles and media about whether these acts were intended as political statements or mere vandalism, but definitive evidence is lacking .

One of the most severe acts of vandalism occurred in 2003, when explosives were used to blow the statue off its base, causing it to fall into the harbor.

This explosion inflicted substantial structural damage, marking a significant escalation from theft or paint-based protest to outright destruction.

The statue required major restoration, including cleaning, reattachment, and reinforcement to withstand future attacks.

The Copenhagen police condemned the attack and increased security measures, but no perpetrators were publicly identified.

Media and cultural commentators speculated that the bombing might have been politically motivated, serving as a dramatic gesture of dissent against established cultural symbols .

Title:

Content: Taiwan National Palace Museum 3 national treasures broke the former president: cultural relics are protected from generation to generation, and human damage is surprising.
Author: Chen Jinan
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Taiwan legislator Chen Yi-hsin revealed in the Legislative Yuan on Friday (28th) that in February 2021, the National Palace Museum conducted a "digital collection" and inventory, accidentally broke the Dragon grain bowl of the Qing Dynasty, and the National Palace Museum President Wu Mi-cha tried to cover up the matter.
In addition, the National Palace Museum recently broke the blue and white porcelain ware, has been secretly handled by the National Palace Museum.
According to Taiwan media, the total price of three cultural relics exceeds NT $2.5 billion (about HK $611 million), which is the first time that the National Palace Museum has been broken since it was completed and opened in Taiwan in 1965.
According to Taiwan media reported on Saturday (29th), for the incident, the former director of the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Feng Mingzhu, felt thousands of feelings, thinking that the National Palace Museum's cultural relics are protected from generation to generation, and the human damage is surprising.
Earlier, Wu Mi-cha responded in the Legislative Yuan to confirm that the National Palace Museum had broken the Dragon grain bowl in the Qing Dynasty, but stressed that it had not hidden the matter.
He also admitted that the National Palace Museum has broken three national treasures in the past two years, namely the "Ming Hongzhi's Yellow and Green Double Dragon Small Bowl", the "Qing Kangxi's Dark Dragon White and Small Yellow Porcelain Bowl" and the "Qing Qianlong Blue and Flower Plate".
With a total export value of more than 2.5 billion yuan, he said that "the market price is" well below that figure ".
According to a press release of the National Palace Museum, the cause of the damage to the "Ming Hongzhi's yellow and green double-dragon small bowl" and the "Qing Kangxi's dark dragon white and yellow porcelain bowl" is suspected to be due to a collision during transportation.
While sorting cultural relics on May 19 this year, senior personnel who have worked at the National Palace Museum for more than seven years were negligent in the operation process, causing the "Qing Qianlong Blue Flower Disc" to fall from a 100-centimeter-high workbench and damage to the ground.
For the incident, Feng Mingzhu said, Taipei National Palace Museum artifacts across the sea moved to Taiwan to the Beigou, then to Taipei's outer Shuangxi, and then to the former president of Qin Hsiao-yi, President Zhou Gongxin, have made a large inventory, the files are clear, a lot.
These cultural relics have been guarded and passed down from generation to generation. The management personnel are also professional and experienced, and basically no man-made damage.
Wu Mi-cha suggests that the fact that the porcelain has never been "changed into a cabinet" is not in keeping with the trend of the times, and may have caused the "Ming Hung-chih's yellow and green double-dragon bowls" and the "Qing Kangxi's dark dragon white and yellow porcelain bowls" to be damaged. The past has been broken or the new arrivals have been mishandled.
For the above statement, Feng Mingzhu did not think, saying that Taipei National Palace Museum artifacts have already been digitized, in the cultural relics management system are detailed, as the dean should always understand, not blame the predecessors did not digitize.
Whether it is an inventory or a pre-curatorial “health review ” of cultural relics, Feng said, it is surprising that the relics fall together with the maintenance unit or with the participation of professional and experienced warehouse management.
It is reported that the internal staff for the current director of the "improvement of backward packaging methods", that is, "in the decomposition of the Palace Museum's professionalism, credibility, morale, self-esteem", porcelain in the past did not "change the box into a cabinet" is the consensus of the colleagues in the inventory department, should not have happened not reviewed the current management and blamed on the "backward".
Feng Mingzhu thinks that the fall of the relics is surprising. (United Daily News)
In addition, the report also mentioned that the deceased's last national treasure carrier, Suo Yu-ming, recalled that in order to protect the national treasure, many personal belongings were thrown off the ship at that time, and in order not to let the huge jade screen wind collide, he slept with the screen every night.
On the other hand, DPP legislator Kao Chia-yu pointed out in a Facebook post on Friday that damage cannot occur naturally. There should be video recording and external witnesses in the process of inventory, annotation, and preservation of National Palace Museum relics. Otherwise, there will be cases of flower transfer, dragon theft, and phoenix theft. The National Palace Museum should make it clear to the public that such a thing cannot happen naturally.
In addition to breaking the National Treasure, Kao Chia-yu also notes that the inscription on the National Palace Museum's website, "Ming Hung-chih's Yellow and Green Double Dragon Bowl," was misrepresented as the Qing dynasty, highlighting the fact that the National Palace Museum is not strict about preserving and marking cultural relics.

Following this, the statue frequently became a canvas for paint-based protests and graffiti, often conveying political or social messages.

In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting, with the red color symbolizing blood and violence.

Activists using the statue in this way aimed to highlight animal rights issues, linking the iconic figure of the mermaid—a creature associated with the sea—to contemporary environmental causes.

The act received broad media coverage and reignited debates on balancing cultural preservation with freedom of expression .

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Content: The National Palace Museum "Yellow River Lanzhou Floating Bridge Map" was exposed! The incident was covered up for 10 years.
▲ Qing dynasty cultural relics "Yellow River Lanzhou Floating Bridge" about 10 years ago, the two sides of the framed Ayana cloth were cut.
(Photo / National Heritage Asset Network)
Journalist Lin Yu-ya / reporting from Taipei
The National Palace Museum was destroyed 10 years ago, and the century-old scaffolding on the left and right sides of the “Yellow River Lanzhou Floating Bridge ” was cut. This incident was not only“ classified ” in that year, but also not punished after the accident. It was the mounts that were cut, and it was inappropriate to do so without administrative procedures at the time.
The National Palace Museum was exploded, and 10 years ago, Chief Lin ordered the cutting of the "original mounted shoes" on the left and right sides of the "Yellow River Lanzhou Floating Bridge Map".
Legislator Lin Yi-chin pointed out that from the report of that year, although the senior officials of the National Palace Museum later talked about the problem of cutting the haya cloth, they replied that they did so "for the sake of beauty", but did not mention that they did it to meet the size of the exhibition cabinet.
She pointed out that the crafting of the early Republic of China was nearly a hundred years old, so it was impossible to cut it at will, and it was still a reason for such a nonsense.
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However, the handling of the whole incident by the death palace at that time was listed as "confidential", with the intention of hiding and blocking information, and not only did not send personnel punishment, but also did not investigate political style.
It is understood that Lin Nan was promoted to deputy director of the National Palace Museum South Hospital two years after he was transferred from the post of chief.
Lin Yi-chin points out that this incident was the result of the team's unremitting pursuit, which led to the declassification of the "secret pieces" of the National Palace Museum, and now requires the National Palace Museum to thoroughly examine all the past secret pieces and find out whether there is any such act of patronage, theft, or arbitrary destruction of cultural relics.
Today legislators Cheng Cheng-chien, Lin Yih-hua, Wu Yi-chin, Chen Yi-hsin, Wang Yuan-yu, and others, as well as the media, visited the National Palace Museum.
Researcher Lu Hsueh-yen says that after the secret was declassified, it was found that there was a record of repair, and in accordance with the provisions of the mounting repair, if any major changes needed to be signed; but there was no administrative procedure at the time, and "there was really no normal flow of documentation."
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In 2020, during global protests following the murder of George Floyd and the rising movement against systemic racism, the statue was painted with the words "racist fish."

This provocative slogan reflected how the statue had evolved into a politically charged symbol beyond its original fairy tale origins.

Scholars of Andersen’s fairy tale emphasize that the narrative contains no explicit racist content, making the vandalism a form of social commentary or protest expression that sparked discussions on the intersection of cultural symbols and contemporary issues.

Authorities investigated the incident, underscoring the challenge of reconciling the statue’s status as both a tourist icon and a site for political messaging .

In March 2023, the base of the statue was painted with the colors of the Russian flag—white, blue, and red—in an act widely interpreted as a political statement supporting Moscow amid Denmark’s criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This form of politically motivated vandalism illustrates the statue’s continuing role as a proxy site for international geopolitical conflicts and ideological debates.

Authorities launched investigations; however, as with many prior cases, the perpetrators remained unidentified.

The incident sparked public discourse about the statue’s symbolic significance and raised concerns about the politicization of cultural heritage sites .

Throughout these events, public and official responses have consistently included police investigations, public condemnations, and detailed restoration efforts.

After each major damage incident — especially decapitations and the 2003 bombing — conservators undertook systematic cleaning, reattachment, and in some cases, reinforcement of the sculpture and its base.

The repeated restoration efforts highlight a commitment to preserving the statue as a treasured national symbol, despite its vulnerability and repeated attacks.

Local authorities have also periodically increased security patrols and surveillance, though the statue’s somewhat isolated and exposed location continues to make these protective measures challenging .

Local community perspectives on the vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue reveal a complex relationship between cultural pride and recognition of the statue as a persistent target for dissent.

Many Copenhagen residents and Danish citizens view the statue as an emblem of their national heritage and artistic achievement.

However, the repeated attacks have become almost folkloric, breeding a series of urban legends and myths regarding the identity and motives of the vandals.

Some narratives speculate whether underground activist groups or foreign political agents are responsible, though no verified evidence supports these claims.

The cycle of vandalism and restoration has also spurred debates about the statue’s role in contemporary Copenhagen—whether it should be more heavily guarded, relocated, or even reinterpreted as a site of resistance and dialogue [local cultural commentaries; noted in media archives].

These anecdotes, though sometimes lacking robust verification, contribute to the public’s fascination and the statue’s allure as a contested cultural artifact.

The persistent recurrence of vandalism feeds an urban legend motif portraying the statue as both fragile and defiant, embodying contradictions between preservation and provocation.

In summary, the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen is emblematic not only of Danish culture and artistic history but also of the tensions inherent in public art as a site of political, social, and counter-cultural contestation.

The chronology of intentional damages is as follows: the 1964 decapitation; the 1984 arm severance; the 1998 decapitation with subsequent recovery; the 2003 bombing with explosives; the 2017 red paint protest against whale hunting; the 2020 “racist fish” graffiti linked to racial justice protests; and the politically motivated 2023 Russian flag painting on the statue’s base.

Each act of vandalism carried unique motives — ranging from anarchistic defiance and political protest to environmental activism — together weaving a narrative of social commentary embedded in urban space.

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Content: • En
After Van Gogh ’ s sunflower painting was vandalized by environmental advocates, “The Girl with the Pearl Earring ”
The man who destroyed the painting stressed that the work was well protected, so it was not really destroyed, but because of the actions of the two people, the people at the scene were unable to smoothly watch the "Girl with a Pearl Earring" painting, but also caused continuous boos, did not meet the environmental demands, afraid of countereffects.
Dutch painter Vermeer ’ s “Girl with a Pearl Earring ” has been vandalized by environmental advocates. (Image / screenshot from Twitter)
(Taiwan English News / Lin Yuwen Syndication Report) In London, environmental advocates used tomato soup to sprinkle Van Gogh's painting "Sunflowers", and now some people wear "Stop Using Oil" to the Mauritz House Museum in the Netherlands, sticking quick-drying glue to their heads and "hitting" The Girl with Pearl Earrings ".
In two weeks, environmental activists vandalized paintings by three countries, three museums and three famous painters, first Van Gogh at the National Gallery in London, then Monet ’ s “Haystack ” at the Barberini Museum in Potsdam, Germany, which was sprinkled with potato mud by the German climate movement Letzte Generation, and on the 27th in the Netherlands. A painting was stolen from the Mauritshuis museum.
This time the destruction of the painting is the Dutch painter Vimel 's "Girl with a Pearl Earring", a video appeared on Twitter, you can see a bald man leaning his head on the painting, and take out a suspected quick-drying glue to fix his head, stick to the painting, another man wearing a "stop using oil" jacket, the red cans poured on the bald man, immediately aroused public dissatisfaction.
The man wearing the "Stop using oil" shirt said to the crowd, "When you see beautiful things being destroyed in this way, what do you think?" "You see the earth being destroyed in front of you, what do you think?" They have not been able to meet the demands of environmental protection, and they are afraid of counterproductive effects.
Updated: 2022-10-28 19: 38 GMT + 08: 00

Public and official responses have balanced condemnation with determination to restore and preserve, recognizing the statue’s symbolic and touristic value.

Moreover, local perspectives and folklore enshrine the statue within Copenhagen’s cultural imagination as a site continually negotiated between reverence and rebellion .

This multifaceted legacy affirms the Little Mermaid as a crucial inclusion in any cultural or counter-culture walking tour in Copenhagen, offering visitors insight into how public art can serve as a living dialogue between history, identity, protest, and urban expression.