Holstebro

Informations mostly from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Holstebro is the main town in Holstebro Municipality, Denmark. The town, lying on both sides of Storaaen ("The Large Creek"), has a population of 34,024 (1st January 2010). The town arose at a fort by the creek, and later a bridge was erected. The name probably derives from holdested ved broen ("a resting place by the bridge"). Today it is a trading, industrial and cultural center in western Jutland. It has a large network of pedestrian walkways (gaagader) in the inner town that support a varied shopping environment beautifully enhanced by outdoor sculptures and picturesque buildings. The first sculpture purchased by Holstebro Municipality, and the cornerstone in their efforts to further cultural development in the town, is Alberto Giacometti's sculpture "Woman on the Cart" purchased in 1966.

The town has a rich and varied cultural life, with among others the performance art theater Odin Teatret. Several museums, including the Holstebro Art Museum with its collection of Danish and international comtemporay art and the Holstebro Museum, can be found in the town.

The Holstebro Hall, rebuilt in 1966, houses a music theatre, the Holstebro Convention and Culture Center (1991) and provides space for theatre presentations, concerts, exhibitions and conventions. Holstebro holds an annual culture festival, the Holstebro Festive Week, in late summer.

Canoeing and kayaking on the nearly 100 km long Storaaen is popular during the summer and early autumn; it is allowed between June 15 and October 31.

International relations: Holstebro is a founding member of the Douzelage, a town twinning association of 23 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a market from each of the other countries and festivals.

Website of Holstebro Municipality: www.holstebro.dk

(The website is mainly in Danish, but in the upper right corner there are links to German, English and French information).