COPENHAGEN Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, is situated on the island of Zealand, flanked by the Baltic Sea. Since its establishment in the 12th century, the city and port have grown into a metropolis which is the home of over a million people. This city, known the world over for its statue of Hans Andersen's 'Little Mermaid', in the beautiful Langelinie Park, is the home of the Danish Royal Family, the Danish Parliament and its national culture. The city owes much of its construction to King Christian IV who built many impressive buildings, including Europe's oldest stock exchange and Amelienborg Palace, many of which still stand today. The majority of these buildings are now dwarfed by the numerous tall blocks of offices and flats which are a feature of Copenhagen's skyline. Despite the city's rapid growth within recent years it still retains a certain village-like nature, exemplified by the acute parking problems in many of the narrow side streets. Such places as the Nyhavn, the haunt of sailors and Copenhagen's 'beatnik' set, have changed little over the years and retain a special charm of their own. Perhaps Copenhagen's real character as the vivacious 'Paris of the North' emerges in the summer months when the Tivoli Gardens erupt into life- The fun fairs, boating lakes, scenic railways,, concert halls, circuses, theatres and restaurants, within its boundaries, provide the friendly Danes with light-hearted entertainment. Gaiety is a key word when describing the far from 'melancholy' Danes who delight in laughter, simple amusement and an ability to discover the amusing side of even the dullest event. On occasions as many as fifty thousand people crowd into the Tivoli which echoes to the noise of music, laughter and gaiety. No visitor need feel lonely in Copenhagen, for in this city, which has been described as 'the most childishly gay city in the world', everyone is welcomed by the Danes as friends and the city's numerous cinemas, restaurants and clubs provide entertainment until the early hours of the morning. A special welcome awaits the British visitor as the Danish people feel a deep sense of friendship with Britain, partly resulting from aid given during the Second World War. Many people, who have come to this city either by sailing 'up the Skaggerak and down the Kattegat' or by the numerous alternative routes, have found themselves almost overwhelmed by the friendliness of its people and have been enchanted by its unique vitality. Such visitors soon realise that the capital city of Denmark is without doubt, 'Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen'. G, ADAMS, 6P. 38 Grey day becomes grey evening; the grey-green grass reflects the yellow glint of tall illumination. Exhausted players blink, eyes unused to this fresh torment, minds full of dreams of heat and steam and warm refreshment. Thirty minutes, twenty minutes, only ten to go Forwards blaming luckless shooting, full-backs wearily hating unflagging wingers. What's worse than disapproving crowd or chilling rain or freezing wind ? Feet achieve the weight of leaden blocks; shirts cling to soaking skin; wind hurtles freezing soaking shirts; the ball stings thighs and bruises feet: Why rush to end your livelihood ? why not pull out of fracturous tackles ? and feign a slight delaying injury ? The dark forboding clamorous cavern of stands and terraces erupts indignant at a vicious hard attack the ugly sound revolves around his agonised expression: Was that imagination of a crack ? His mind dissolves in grateful void no freezing water can revive; a floodlit stretcher his not victor's throne on weary jubilating shoulders; two points are lost, a reputation, a whole career in one moment's hesitation; a fallen idol, inattentive to the sympathetic silence of his shame, swallowed up in darkness, leaves the game- D. KINGSMAN, 6P. 39