  The problem of minimal distortion bending of smooth compact embedded
connected Riemannian $n$-manifolds $M$ and $N$ without boundary is made precise
by defining a deformation energy functional $\Phi$ on the set of
diffeomorphisms $\diff(M,N)$. We derive the Euler-Lagrange equation for $\Phi$
and determine smooth minimizers of $\Phi$ in case $M$ and $N$ are simple closed
curves.
