Weird and wonderful in Denmark

Denmark’s regional city of Odense will offer a glimpse of the weird and wonderful world of robots when it hosts ‘RoboDays’; an annual festival that attracts playful, instructive and interactive robots, scientists and robotic enthusiasts of all ages from all over the world for three days of ‘robotic’ fun from 10 to 12 September 2009.

Taking place in the native town of the fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, the robot festival comprises exhibitions, competitions and conferences as well as a number of captivating events (robodays.dk/english).

Designed to be fun, thought-provoking and surprising, it has everything from competitive competitions (similar to the UK’s popular Robot Wars) to the latest scientific inventions. Spectators can also get an insight into the way robots and robotic technology is becoming a part of our everyday lives.

As part of RoboDays, an international prize of DKK 75,000 (approx. £10,000) is awarded to the most playful and interactive robot that combines robot technology, design and art in an unusual and creative way. Previous winners have included the therapeutic American ‘HUGGABLE Bear’ that was designed to feel alive when hugged giving off a healing and positive sensation and ‘The Keepon’, a small yellow dancing robot that showed emotions and compassion in interaction with people.

RoboDays was launched for the first time in 2006 and now attracts over 20,000 visitors. The festival provides an excellent opportunity for holidaymakers to enjoy a ‘robotic break’ in what is coined ‘the fairytale city of Denmark’.

Odense has a good range of attractions to suit all ages and interests from the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (museum.odense.dk) and ‘Tinderbox’ play house for children (fyrtoejet.com); to the 1850s reconstructed Funen Village (http://museum.odense.dk/Den_Fynske_Landsby.aspx); the Danish Railway Museum showcasing over 150 years of travel (jernbanemuseum.dk); the Kunsthallen Brandts - an old textile mill which has been converted into galleries showing mainly contemporary Danish and international art (brandts.dk) and the Odense Zoo (odensezoo.dk).

Getting there ...

There are no direct flights to Odense, but the city is only 90 minutes from Billund in Jutland, which has direct daily flights from the UK with Norwegian and Ryan Air (norwegian.com and ryanair.com). Alternatively, using Denmark’s efficient road and rail system, it is just over an hour and 15 minutes by rail from Copenhagen Airport.

Odense also offers a good range accommodation from camping grounds and cabins, B&B accommodation and 3 - 4 star hotels with costs from approximately £30/cabin to £90- £160 per night for a double room on a bed and breakfast basis.

For more information on Odense go to: visitodense.com
For additional information on Funen see: visitfyn.com
For more details on Denmark log on to: visitdenmark.com/uk