Denmark celebrated the 200th anniversary Saturday of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the world's most prolific and enduring writers of short fiction.

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The Danish author wrote "The Ugly Duckling,""The Emperor's New Clothes,""The Princess and the Pea,""Thumbelina,""The Little Mermaid,""The Red Shoes,""The Nightingale,""The Snow Queen,""The Wild Swans,""The Little Match Girl,""The Swineherd,""The Steadfast Tin Soldier,""The Shepherdess and the Chimneysweep,""The Flying Trunk" -- and about 150 more fairy tales.

Thirteen of his most beloved fairy tales were being performed at a giant festival, labeled "Once upon a time," in Copenhagen's biggest sports arena, Deutsche Well said. Performances were broadcast in 15 nations.

Worldwide, 3,000 events are scheduled throughout this year: Andersen statues will be unveiled in Vietnam; New York schools will hold fairytale competitions; and Australia will put their puppets to work in performances of Andersen stories.