European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 12, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Enter talkers at Tivoli gardens left and above. The Copenhagen amusement Park is 150 years old this weekend join in the festivities to find out what s so special about by Alan Riding the new York times the strange sight of prams and wheelchairs jousting for space one recent morning suddenly brought Home to me Why Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen Denmark Are so special. True Tivoli s real Fame comes from being the world s oldest amusement Park this year celebrating its 150th anniversary. And during its impressive history it was the inspiration for Hans Christian Andersen s Nightingale and Walt Disney s first theme Park. But its secret i concluded lies elsewhere. It is quite simply that Tivoli appeals to All Ages. So there they were prams and wheelchairs arriving punctually As the gardens in the Middle of the City opened at 10 . Soon they were joined by mothers trying to control exuberant youngsters while old men and women strode purposefully through the gardens. By lunchtime businessmen and tourists were filling the Park s 28 restaurants. Then As the afternoon advanced into evening families Young couples and groups of friends joined the crowds. And when the Park closed at Midnight there were still some babies and grannies heading for the Gates. Why not for a Park that offers its fair share of thrills and spills Tivoli is wonderfully relaxed. It covers Only about 20 acres but its landscaping an artificial Lake a Fountain or two Trees galore a Rose Garden and stunning Flower displays creates a sense of space. At night lighted by 110,000 bulbs of Many colors it is even More welcoming. Its amusements Are also comfortingly old fashioned mechanical rather than electronic. Bands play Strauss Waltzes and canned music is prohibited. Most important perhaps visitors Are not bombarded by frenetic pressure a  to enjoy and to spend. The Entrance fee to the Park is just $5.65, and some people spend no More than that. To sept 19, it is As Ever the focal Point of. Well the East is not that far away. Entertainment. The Park offers the respite of its gardens the diversity of its menus and the fun of its amusements but also a Rich cultural fare including 144 concerts this season. Tourists May go out of their Way to visit Tivoli. Local residents just keep coming Back. The idea of course is to have fun. In fact when Reorg Carstensen a Young publisher persuaded King Christian Viii to allow him to create the Tivoli gardens outside the City Walls he is said to have argued that people engaged in fun do not engage in  and from its opening Day on aug. 15, 1843, it was a hit. Since then it has had some 274 million visitors including 4.1 million last year. Nine of 10 foreign visitors to Copenhagen go to Tivoli but 60 percent of its clients Are Danes Danes of All classes even Queen Margarethe once took her husband Prince Henri Down the Tunnel of love. The history of Tivoli including its near destruction by nazi sympathizers in 1943, is Well told in the museum inaugurated to Mark the Park s 150th anniversary. It displays paintings drawings and prints showing Tivoli through the years As Well As old costumes films and models of amusements like its famous wooden roller coaster. It is interesting to see How the Park has so where to begin the Central area of the Park is Given Over to entertainment that is the concert Hall and the cabaret theater which sell tickets for their programs and the Peacock theater and an open air stage which provide free entertainment the High Point of the concert Hall s season this year will be performances by the new York City Ballet from sept. 7 to 12, but the season will also include concerts of classical music almost nightly Many put on by Tivoli s symphony orchestra. The cabaret theater s variety show on the other hand can be something of a mystery for non danish speakers. The 25 attractions which require special moderately priced tickets Are on the pay no More than the Entrance feel retirees who can buy a season ticket for just $29 Are of course Happy to enjoy its gardens and Tranquillity. Indeed no fewer than 400,000 Flowers of 108 species Are planted every year. During weekend afternoons and every evening different free shows Are put on by musicians trapeze artists conjures and comedians on the open air stage. Music is also performed by Tivoli s three bands in different Corners of the Park. And at 11 45 . On wednesdays fridays and saturdays throughout the summer a fireworks display lights up the sky Over the Park As a Way of ending the Day. Yet what struck me at closing time one recent evening was that most people at the Park seemed to take those pleasures for Periphery of the Park no doubt to keep the granted. True there were some with the peace elsewhere. Those intended for smaller exhausted look of tourists who had done children like the children s Ferris wheel the Tivoli in a Day. But they were certainly not mini bumper cars and the circus Carousel Danes. Copenh Geners know they will open at 11 30 . The rest at 1 30 . I first headed for the roller coaster which was built in 1914 and still has a Driver operating manual brakes. The half mile ride Only lasts about two minutes but that suffices to quicken the pulse rate. Tubs ahoy better known to Danes As the Tunnel of love is a journey along an underground canal with hidden surprises. Then there is the flying trunk new but really very old fashioned which winds its changed. Every year it likes to add or change Way past animated scenes from Hans an attraction this year s Novelty is the flying Christian Andersen fairy tales like the return tomorrow next week next month. They will not want to miss the special 150th anniversary show to be held this saturday. And they will try to catch the recital on aug. 20 by the Soprano Jessye Norman. Until the Days Start shortening in late september they know their playground is always ready to receive them. Fast facts relaxed fun Tivoli gardens is open this year until sept 19, daily from 10 . To Midnight. Admission is $5.65, $2.90 for children 4 to 12. Season tickets Are $43.55 for visitors Ages 4 to 67, and $29 for visitors Over the age of 67. Fireworks Are on display starting at 11 45 . On wednesdays fridays and saturdays. The amounts were calculated at a rate of 6.206 Kroner to the Dollar. Attractions rides require one or two tickets. Single tickets Are $1.28,10 tickets Are $12. A Tivoli tour pass which gives unlimited Access to All 25 rides All Day is $24. The Tivoli museum is open daily from 10 . To. To . Adults $4.80, $2.40 for children under the Tivoli ticket office 3 Vester brigade 1630 Copenhagen a 3315-1012, outside the main Entrance is open noon to 7 30 . Weekdays and on concert weekends. Alan Riding wet 12 stripes Magazine August 12, 1993 trunk which is a journey through Hans Christian Andersen s fairy tales. But Tivoli has also preserved something of the Oriental mood that in the mid-19th Century represented the ultimate in exotica for europeans. And yet has done so with the sort of poetic License that Walt Disney might Well have endorsed. The famous chinese Tower for example is in fact a japanese Pagoda while the Bazaar building looks like a european s idea of an arabian Palace. But the old Peacock theater which puts on Pierrot pure 16th Century Commedia Dell arte italian pantomimes is genuinely chinese in design. Open to the Public this year from april 22 and if you add a Host of chinese lamps spinning top the ugly duckling the Princess and the pea and the Chimney sweep. The 19th Century comes truly alive on weekend evenings when the Tivoli boys guard marches to its own music around the Park bedecked in Fine red tunics and Bearskin busies. Most of the Young guards 111 boys and one girl Ages 11 to 16 Are in fact members of the band but there is also a platoon of infantrymen accompanying a Pony drawn Golden coach that carries a child Prince and Princess. There is something for everyone in Tivoli and there is also plenty for those who "