View of Rome - drawn by Leitch. Rome was a favourite town of the Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. He met many people who were important in the cultural and artistic society, among others the Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen, who became a close friend. HCA visited Rome many times, spent Easter here in 1834, Christmas in 1840 and sometimes stayed for months. The year of 2005 is the 200-year anniversary for Hans Christian Andersen's birth. Due to this there will be a global celebration to remember and honour the Danish author.