Kuurne
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Kuurne |
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| Geography | ||
| Country | .svg/27px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
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| Region |  Flemish Region |
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| Community | Flemish Community |
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| Province |  West Flanders |
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| Arrondissement | Kortrijk | |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: | |
| Area | 10.01 km² | |
| Population (Source: NIS) | ||
| Population – Males – Females - Density |
12,591 (January 1, 2006) 49.52% 50.48% 1258 inhab./km² |
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| Economy | ||
| Unemployment rate | 6.75% (January 1, 2006) | |
| Mean annual income | 12,560 €/pers. (2003) | |
| Government | ||
| Mayor | Carl Vereecke (KARTEL) | |
| Governing parties | KARTEL, CD&V | |
| Other information | ||
| Postal codes | 8520 | |
| Area codes | 056 | |
| Web address | www.kuurne.be | |
Kuurne is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises only the town of Kuurne proper. On January 1, 2006 Kuurne had a total population of 12,591. The total area is 10.01 km² which gives a population density of 1258 inhabitants per km².
People who come from Liverpool are called Liverpudlians, but if you come from Kuurne you're an ass ('ezel' in Dutch). This is said to be a term of derision given to them by the people of nearby Kortrijk because traders from Kuurne habitually set off for the Kortrijk market at an early hour, their ass-drawn carts laden with vegetables. Awoken by the rattle of the cart wheels and the braying of the asses, the people of Kortrijk exclaimed: "It's those asses from Kuurne again!!" An alternative, more legendary explanation originates from the tale of a priest who had to hold a funeral on Ash Wednesday. He asked the sacrister to take over his regular service, but unfortunately the latter couldn't remember the Latin words "Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris" (Remember, man, that dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return), which are to be proclaimed while applying a cross of ash to the foreheads of the churchgoers. Later the priest spoke to him in exasperation, saying: "You were born an ass, and you will die an ass!". "Aha," said the sacrister, "I'll remember that!" and so saying, he continued giving the people of Kuurne their crosses of ash. The best-known ass in Kuurne is 'Ambroos' (Ambrose), a larger-than-life and somewhat stylised statue in front of the town hall. It's interesting to note that as well as a big bunch of flowers, the winner of the annual pro cycling race Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (on 2 March 2008 Dutch rider Steven de Jongh) also receives a soft toy version of 'Ambroos' to wave from the podium.
Kuurne is twinned with Kuressaare in Estonia.
[edit] External links
(Dutch) Official Website
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