Copenhagen, Denmark — Denmark’s greatest tourist attraction, Tivoli in Copenhagen, has been providing entertainment for nearly 170 years. A merry-go-round and a roller coaster were the two rides Tivoli offered in 1843, when the gates opened to the public for the very first time. Now, in 2013, there are 27 rides, including the brand new “Aquila” where you can experience 4 G forces. “Tivoli will never be finished,” said its founder, and change has always been part of The Gardens. On 15 August, Tivoli turns 170 years old.
Tivoli plays host to over 300 concerts each year and has approximately 30 eateries; it has become a world brand that tourists are prepared to travel for. Tivoli is the world’s only company quoted on the stock exchange which has its own symphony orchestra. The amusement park also has a green profile, which includes electricity from wind turbines and a “no thank you” policy towards disposable cups.
When you stand on The Open Air Stage, you can feel the history of the place and sense founder Georg Carstensen’s original vision of what an amusement park should offer. The green park, with zigzagalleen’s (the zig-zag alley’s) old linden trees, is a prominent feature. There is a variety of moving rides, from the old Ferris Wheel to the new Star Flyer. The music and theatre scenes are represented on The Open Air Stage, which today is the venue for Fredagsrock (Friday Rock), and at Glassalen (The Glass Hall Theatre) where artists like Marlene Dietrich, Swe-Danes and the Mills Brothers have performed. Finally there are the cafes and restaurants, which were a part of the original concept and which continue to tempt Tivoli’s guests.
However, in the same way that pantalettes for girls and sailor suits for boys, which were popular back in 1843, have been replaced on the fashion scene, Tivoli has also modernised its facilities. New additions to the park include exciting rides like Aquila, which reaches forces of 4 G, food from distant corners of the world, and music that requires electronic amplification. It is precisely the ability to incorporate new trends which may be the reason why Tivoli has survived for 170 years.
Tivoli’s CEO, Lars Liebst, says: ”If I were to describe what Tivoli is, then I would have to say it is diverse. Tivoli has always been for everyone. We must continue to live up to the expectations of our guests and, at the same time, provide them with such a positive and thrilling experience that they recommend others to visit Tivoli. We bear the heritage of Georg Carstensen’s ideas, and we remember his words that Tivoli will never be finished.”
And Lars Bernhard Jørgensen, CEO, Wonderful Copenhagen, says: “With its unique location in the town centre, a fantastic and colourful history, as well as its proven ability to constantly evolve with the needs and demands of the time, Tivoli categorically represents the cornerstone of Copenhagen’s experience industry. A Copenhagen without Tivoli would be a noticeably different tourist product, and I would like to congratulate The Gardens and all its guests and employees on this birthday celebration.”
