Editing Kuurne

{{Infobox Belgium municipality
|name             = Kuurne
|picture          = Kuurne Marktplein.JPG
|picture-legend   = 
|map              = Kuurne West-Flanders Belgium Map.svg
|map-legend       = Location of Kuurne in West-Flanders
|arms             = Wapen van Kuurne.svg
|flag             = Kuurne vlag.svg
|region           = {{BE-REG-FLE}}
|community        = {{BE-NL}}
|province         = {{BE-PROV-WV}}
|arrondissement   = [[Arrondissement of Kortrijk|Kortrijk]]
|nis              = 34023
|pyramid-date=
|0-19=
|20-64=
|65=
|foreigners=
|foreigners-date=
|mayor            = Francis Benoit ([[Christian Democratic and Flemish|CD&V]])  
|majority         = [[Christian Democratic and Flemish|CD&V]], [[New Flemish Alliance|N-VA]], [[Vooruit (political party)|Vooruit]]-[[Groen (political party)|Groen]]
|postal-codes     = 8520
|telephone-area   = 056
|web              = [http://www.kuurne.be/ www.kuurne.be]
|coordinates      = {{coord|50|51|N|03|17|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
}}
'''Kuurne''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈkyːrnə}}) is a [[Municipalities of Belgium|municipality]] located in the [[Belgium|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&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> which gives a [[population density]] of 1258 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>. The [[Leie]] functions as a natural border between Kuurne and [[Harelbeke]].

Inhabitants from Kuurne are nicknamed 'donkeys'. 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 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 donkey in Kuurne is 'Ambroos' (Ambrose), a larger-than-life and somewhat stylised statue in front of the [[town hall]]. The winner of the annual pro [[road bicycle racing|road cycling]] race [[Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne]] received a big bouquet and a soft toy version of 'Ambroos' to wave from the stage.

== Twin towns ==
* {{flagicon|EST}} [[Kuressaare]], Estonia (1998)
* {{flagicon|ROM}} [[Chiuza]], Romania (1999)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Marcq-en-Baroeul]] (1945)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.kuurne.be Official Website] {{in lang|nl}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Kuurne
|N = [[Lendelede]]
|E = [[Harelbeke]]
|S = [[Kortrijk]]
|W = [[Kortrijk]]
}}
{{Municipalities in West Flanders}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Municipalities of West Flanders]]