Why Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is one of the most popular conference cities in the world. Located on the island of Zealand, it is a friendly, relaxed city that combines the charm of its more than 800 year Nordic history with the vitality of a modern metropolis, a friendly and dynamic city thanks to its mixture of historical roots, democratic traditions and ongoing expansions. Its Danish name København means ”merchant harbour”.

Copenhagen has something to fulfil every sightseer’s dreams, boasting numerous sights, new

and old castles, churches and other buildings, canals and harbour, parks and lakes. The city is

compact and easy to find ones way about.

The congress venue is situated in the center of Copenhagen: ten minutes from the town hall, the medieval part of the city, the area with the canals and the ramparts, the enchanting 160+ years old amusement park Tivoli, several museums, parks, lakes, squares etc. Only five minutes walk from the congress venue you will find the university, the school of librarianship, the center of national broadcast, and the harbour area.

Furthermore ...

• Copenhagen is easy to reach from all over the world whether by air, rail, road or sea.
• The environment of Copenhagen is clean, with fresh air coming in from the sea and water you can drink straight from the tap.
• Visitors can stroll around in the city safely at all hours of the day or night.
• It is easy to get around in Copenhagen. The city has reliable, frequent and convenient public transportation.
• Copenhagen’s taxis are comfortable, clean, and generally easy to hail. All taxis are clearly licensed, operate at fixed mileage rates, and accept major credit cards and payment in Euro.
• Most Danes speak English.

Sightseing and Excursions

The harbour boasts of numerous monumental sites, such as the extension of the National Library (called the ”Black Diamond”), the Opera House, the new city area at Holmen that is located in an historic naval base and home for several schools in the field of culture. There is even a place for swimming in the harbour itself, and in the immediate neighborhood the new beach area, Amager Strand, offers excellent facilities for sports and recreation. The same does the big, indoor ”DGI-Byen”, right behind the central station.

Copenhagen offers museums in virtually every field of interest: arts (from the antique to the contemporary, incl. Islamic art, as well as decorative art), botanical garden, films, erotica, ethnography, history, labour, music, zoo, etc. etc. The Royal Theatre hosts the famous Royal Danish Ballet, theatre and opera. All within walking distance of the congress venue. You may also explore Copenhagen by free bicycles, which are available throughout the city center.

The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn and various castles are some of the well-known sights you will encounter on your ride. Or you may choose to go to Nørrebro with its multicultural population and small designershops in the sidestreets. At Nørrebro, you will find the historical cemetery Assistens Kirkegård, where H.C Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard are buried.

Excursions to the environs are also worthwhile, e.g. Kronborg Castle, the alleged home of Prince Hamlet, the home of Karen Blixen, the Viking Ships Museum and Roskilde Cathedral. Both Kronborg Castle and Roskilde Cathedral are on Unesco’s list of Cultural Treasures.

A full day tour to Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace and museum on the island of Funen is being planned.

In addition, Malmö (Sweden) is accessed easily via the Øresund Bridge by road or rail. The train journey takes only 35 minutes.

You will find some actual suggestions and relevant links on the page Excursions

More information of all kinds about Copenhagen is available on this link

The official tourist site of Copenhagen is Wonderful Copenhagen where you can find all you need to know about tourist Copenhagen: factual information, editorial information, booking request-forms, on-line conference offers and hundreds of useful links to other relevant and important Copenhagen sites.

The Copenhagen this week booklet gives you information on experiences and entertainment, restaurants, museums etc. It is available on-line, or you may pick up the booklet at the airport, Copenhagen shops, hotels and restaurants.

For tourist information on Denmark in general, please see the Danish tourist board's website www.dt.dk or www.visitdenmark.com

Other useful websites are www.aok.dk (aok: everything about Copenhagen) with a broad selection of suggestions and reviews including accommodations, and www.useit.dk – a site targeted low budgets.

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Nordic Information

Experience the hospitality and the children’s book world of the Nordic countries

If you will be visiting any of the other Nordic countries in connection with the congress, you may inquire the respective IBBY section concerning opportunities to meet local members and visit libraries, a children’s literature centre, and other places related to children’s books and their authors or illustrators.

See the page Pre-post Tours ou will be visiting any of the other Nordic countries in connection with the congress, you may inquire the respective IBBY section concerning oppnits to meet local members and visit libraries, a children’s literature centre, and other places related to childrene-post Tours