Moore named ambassador for Andersen Fest

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Roger Moore and Harry Belafonte followed in the footsteps of fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen -- at least for about 30 feet.

Moore and Belafonte, tapped as goodwill ambassadors for festivities marking Andersen's 200th birthday, took a few steps along a 5-mile route through Copenhagen that leads to places where the author lived and worked.

Named "In the Footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen," the walk inaugurated Thursday is marked by 2,000 white footsteps in the writer's shoe size -- 12 1/2 -- painted on the pavement.

"In many ways, almost anything about Andersen is much bigger than I am," Belafonte told The Associated Press after walking along the first few steps of the route. Belafonte said he wears a size 11 shoe.

Strollers can learn more about Andersen's life in Copenhagen on 62 signs along the walk. Posted on the signs are telephone numbers that people can call to get more information in Danish, or in English in a recorded message by Derek Jacobi.

Born April 2, 1805, Andersen is famed for children's classics including "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Little Mermaid."

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