127 Days of a Danish Fairy Tale Journey: The Life and Love of a Peking University Student in Copenhagen

Author: Wang Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Too many people's childhoods have become more enjoyable and meaningful because of reading the fairy tales of this world-famous fairy tale writer. This day is no longer just a Danish festival, but a common festival for those who love fairy tales. This edition specially features a Danish travelogue, let us together, wander in the fairy tale kingdom in words, and trace the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen.
Postscript: After proofreading the last word of this book, I sighed with relief, picked up the newspaper that day at random, and the headline on the front page caught my eye—"World Readers Celebrate the 200th Birthday of Hans Christian Andersen." It seems the name Hans Christian Andersen is about to "blaze up" in China—Beijing News has been dedicating full pages to celebrate his birthday. In fact, whether it's "blazing up" or not, no matter how much noise and glory it receives, Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales have always been a pure lotus blooming in people's hearts. In the gentle and distant fragrance, it slowly unfolds an angelic smile, spreading a holy and pure world.
I first became acquainted with Hans Christian Andersen about twenty years ago. My first reader for learning to read was the translation of Selected Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by Mr. Ye Junjian, and the sentence I first learned was from The Little Mermaid: "Far out at sea, the water is so blue, like the petals of the most beautiful chrysanthemums, and at the same time so clear, like bright glass." For a little girl of three or four years old, such beautiful imagery as petals and glass already held a mysterious attraction.
When I was in primary school, I was assigned to recite a text in a public language class, and the piece was The Little Match Girl. In middle school, I began to long for that calm sea and the sun like a flower bud. Even now, an English edition of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales still sits on my desk. However, even with such a deep connection to Hans Christian Andersen, I never imagined that I would step onto the land that gave birth to fairy tales and live in an ordinary Danish family, where I would walk, chat, make friends, introduce China to people, and carry their blessings with me.
The idea of writing this little book naturally arose the moment I was informed that I had been selected for the "Copenhagen University & Peking University Exchange Student Program." I felt that this journey of studying abroad would become a valuable asset in my life, and I hoped to share it with more people. This book—from beginning to end—was completed in Denmark. The scenery of Europe is beautiful, but what I focused on more were the people. The people living in the fairy tale kingdom simultaneously possess the fantasy of fairy tales and the reality of life—they keep a crystal-clear world in their hearts: no matter what picture life unfolds, they will love it with unwavering devotion, weeping in love, forever.
During these more than a hundred days, like any ordinary exchange student, I experienced the excitement of arriving in a foreign land, underwent various physical and psychological adjustments, encountered all kinds of joys and sorrows, and witnessed the expansion of the European Union, the shadow of the Madrid bombing cast over Europe, and shared laughter and tears with all ordinary Europeans at historic moments. Therefore, I have always held a deep respect for Hans Christian Andersen. Not only because he gave me a beautiful dream in my youth and allowed me to recognize the beauty and innocence of the fairy tale world. But also because he allowed me to experience the ideals and realities both inside and outside this fairy tale world, planting in me a belief in love and care.
I recorded my life during these more than a hundred days in the form of a diary, including study, life, travel, and my perception of the cultural atmosphere, including my Danish family and my American classmates from Ivy League universities. This period of life was as natural as flowing water, and I did not want to add any embellishments. Of course, doing so may have left some rough edges, and I sincerely hope the readers will point them out. I am willing to present this book as a gift from an ordinary Chinese reader to Hans Christian Andersen—this person who creates beauty. Moreover, I also hope this gift can be shared by more people—just as Hans Christian Andersen himself belongs to the world, his gifts should also belong to everyone.
I would like to thank my Danish mother, Elizabeth, my sister, Sophie, my brother, Frederik, the deputy director of the Danish exchange program, Mr. Carsten Pape, and all the teachers, friends, and classmates from around the world in Denmark. I also want to thank my parents, my mentor, and all the teachers and classmates at Peking University who have helped me, especially my junior and senior classmates who went to Denmark for the exchange program. I particularly want to thank Teacher Ai Yi, who took time out of her busy work hosting programs like Real Talk and Close Encounters to write the preface for this book. I also want to thank the He Fei editor, Ms. Liu Tao, and Mr. Zhang Wenshan, who devoted a great deal of effort to the editing and publishing of this manuscript. It was you who helped me and completed this gift with me.
Finally, I would like to thank this campus, Yan Yuan, which has nurtured countless dreams and hopes. No matter where I go, it will always be my spiritual home.
Postscript by Wang Yu, April 27, 2005, at Yan Yuan.
This book records the author's life experiences during their study in Denmark, including their arrival, study and life, travels in Europe, and endless concerns.