A magnificent mural dedicated to volleyball sensation Isabelle ‘Bella’ Haak has been unveiled in her hometown of Ängelholm. Completed on Sunday, September 7, this world-class artwork now adorns a prominent façade in central Ängelholm, strategically located near the city park and Storgatan, the main street.
The impressive piece was created by internationally renowned street artist Zabou, who commenced her work last Wednesday. The mural was officially inaugurated with a public ceremony held on Sunday, marking a significant event for the community.
I really love this image of Isabelle. She looks confident and gazes outward, perhaps toward the future. It was a beautiful expression to portray.
Zabou, Artist
Isabelle Haak herself participated in the ceremony via video link from Italy, where she is currently preparing for the upcoming season with her club, reigning champions Imoco Volley Conegliano. She shared her heartfelt appreciation for this unique tribute from her hometown.
The event also saw official representation from the Swedish Volleyball Federation, with board member Rolf Bernro in attendance, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
A Hometown Homage
The initiative for this grand mural originated from the Ängelholm Municipality, which sought to pay a lasting tribute to their world-famous athlete. The municipality emphasized that the artwork serves as more than just a public decoration:
The mural is a public tribute to Isabelle Haak and a way of highlighting art in public spaces. But it is also a symbol of the power of daring to dream big, working hard, and staying grounded despite a spike reach of over 3.20 meters – a symbol of women’s sports in Ängelholm.
An Ambassador for Sport and City
This kind of tribute is truly exceptional, marking a historical first for a Swedish volleyball player to be honored in such a unique way by their hometown. The mural stands as a powerful testament to the sport`s increasing prominence, recognition, and respect within Sweden.
Beyond her global stardom, ‘Bella’ is an outstanding ambassador not only for volleyball but also for her hometown, Ängelholm. The city, through its local club EVS (Engelholms VS), has cultivated a strong volleyball tradition, a heritage the municipality is keen to highlight and celebrate.
The mural is the latest manifestation of Ängelholm`s deep commitment to promoting the sport. Another significant milestone was the CEV European Golden League Final Four, successfully hosted at Ängelholm’s impressive Catena Arena on June 28-29. This event, a collaborative effort involving the municipality, Visit Skåne, Backahills Sport & Evenemang, EVS, and the Swedish Volleyball Federation, transformed into a vibrant volleyball festival, attracting record-breaking crowds for the Swedish women’s national team matches over two consecutive days.
The national team, having recently made their debut appearance in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship where they secured a 19th-place finish, is also set to compete in a historic EuroVolley event on home soil in Gothenburg next year, further cementing Sweden`s growing presence in international volleyball.
