Coordinates: 52°14′N 5°11′E / 52.23°N 5.18°E / 52.23; 5.18

Hilversum
—  Municipality  —
Raadhuis (town hall) Hilversum.
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Hilversum mediastad
Location of Hilversum
Country	Netherlands
Province	North Holland
Government
• Mayor	Pieter Broertjes – (PvdA)[1]
• Aldermen	B. Hammer – (PvdA) E. Boog – (CDA) O.J.M.E. Meeuwissen – (CDA) J.J.M.P. Rensen – (PvdA) Mw. K.J. Walters-Vos – (SP)
• Secretary	J.H. van der Vegt
Area(2006)
• Total	46.24 km2 (17.85 sq mi)
• Land	45.59 km2 (17.60 sq mi)
• Water	0.66 km2 (0.25 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2007)
• Total	83,640
• Density	1,835/km2 (4,750/sq mi)
• Randstad	6,659,300
	Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST(UTC+2) (UTC)
Postcode	1200–1223
Area code(s)	035
Website	www.hilversum.nl

 Hilversum (help·info) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called "'t Gooi", it is the largest town in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller villages. Hilversum is part of the Randstad, one of the largest conurbations in Europe.

The Town Of Hilversum[link]

Hilversum lies 30 km (19 mi) south-east of Amsterdam and 20 km (12 mi) north of Utrecht.

The town is often called "media city" since it is the principal centre for radio and television broadcasting in the Netherlands. Radio Netherlands, heard worldwide via shortwave radio since the 1920s, is also based here. Hilversum is home to an extensive complex of audio and television studios belonging to the national broadcast production company NOS, as well as to the studios and offices of all the Dutch public broadcasting organizations and many commercial TV production companies. As a result many old radio sets in Britain had a "Hilversum” dial position marked on their tuning scales (along with other exotic locations like Athlone).

Hilversum is also known for its architecturally important "Raadhuis" or town hall, designed by Willem Dudok (1884–1974).

Hilversum has one public library, two swimming pools (Hellemond Sport and De Lieberg), a number of sporting halls and several shopping centers (such as Hilvertshof, Kerkelanden, Riebeeck-Galerij, Severijn, Seinhorst and Chatham). In the region the city centre is known as 'het dorp' which means 'the village'.

History[link]

Earthenware found in Hilversum gives its name to the Hilversum culture, which is an early- to mid-Bronze Age, or 800–1200 BCE material culture. Artifacts from this prehistoric civilization bear similarities to the Wessex Culture of southern Britain and may indicate that the first Hilversum residents emigrated from that area.^[2] The first brick settlements formed around 900, but it was not until 1305 that the first official mention of Hilversum ("Hilfersheem" from "Hilvertshem" meaning "houses between the hills") is found. At that point it was a part of Naarden, the oldest town in the Gooi area.

Farming, raising sheep and some wool manufacturing were the means of life for the Gooi in the Middle Ages. In 21 March at 6:30 am (The hour at which people got up, as the farm was full of loud and restless animals) 1424, Hilversum received its first official independent status. This made possible further growth in the village because permission from Naarden was no longer needed for new industrial development. The town grew further in the 17th century when the Dutch economy as a whole entered its age of prosperity, and several canals were built connecting it indirectly to Amsterdam. In 1725 and 1766 large fires destroyed most of the town, leveling parts of the old townhouse and the church next to it. The town overcame these setbacks and the textile industry continued to develop, among other ways by devising a way to weave cows' hair. In the 19th century a substantial textile and tapestry industry emerged, aided by a railway link to Amsterdam in 1874. From that time the town grew quickly with rich commuters from Amsterdam moving in, building themselves large villas in the wooded surroundings, and gradually starting to live in Hilversum permanently. Despite this growth, Hilversum was never granted city rights so it is still referred to by many locals as "het dorp," or "the village."

For the 1928 Summer Olympics in neighboring Amsterdam, it hosted all of the non-jumping equestrian and the running part of the modern pentathlon event.^[3] The city was the headquarters of the German ground forces (Wehrmacht) in the Netherlands.

The Nederlandse Seintoestellen Fabriek (NSF) company established a professional transmitter and radio factory in Hilversum in the early 1920s, growing into the largest of its kind in the Netherlands, and in 1948 being taken over by Philips. By then the textile industry had started its decline; only one factory, Veneta, managed to continue into the 1960s, when it also had to close its doors. Another major industry, the chemical factory IFF, also closed by the end of the 1960s. In the meantime, almost all Dutch radio broadcasting organizations (followed by television broadcasters in the 1950s) established their headquarters in Hilversum and provided a source of continuing economic growth. The concentration of broadcasters in Hilversum has given it its enduring status as the media city for The Netherlands.

In 1964, the population reached a record high – over 103,000 people called Hilversum home. The current population hovers around 84,000. Several factors figure into the decline: one is the fact that the average family nowadays consists of fewer people, so fewer people live in each house; second, the town is virtually unable to expand because all the surrounding lands were sold to the Gooisch Natuurreservaat by city architect W.M. Dudok. The third reason for this decline of the population was due to the fact that the property values were increasing rapidly in that moment of time. So many people were forced to move to cheaper areas in The Netherlands.

Some sources blame connections in the television world for attracting crime to Hilversum, and the town has had to cope with mounting drug-related issues in a community with higher than average unemployment and ongoing housing shortage.

Hilversum was one of the first towns to have a local party of the populist movement called Leefbaar ("liveable"). Founded by former social-democrat party strongman Jan Nagel, it was initially held at bay for alderman positions. In 2001, Nagel from 'Leefbaar Hilversum' teamed up with 'Leefbaar Utrecht' leaders to found a national 'Leefbaar Nederland' party. By strange coincidence, in 2002 the most vocal 'Leefbaar Rotterdam' politician Pim Fortuyn was shot and killed by an animal rights activist at Hilversum Media Park just after finishing a radio interview. This happened, however, after a break between Fortuyn and Nagel during a Leefbaar Nederland board meeting in Hilversum on Fortuyn's anti-Islamic viewpoints.

The town of Hilversum has put a great deal of effort into improvements, including a recent renovation to its central train station, thorough renovation of the main shopping centre (Hilvertshof), and development of new dining and retail districts downtown including the "vintage" district in the Leeuwenstraat. Several notable architectural accomplishments include the Institute for Sound and Vision,^[4] and the largest man-made wildlife crossing in the world, Zanderij Crailo

The population declined from 103,000 in 1964 to 84,000 in 2006.

Culture[link]

This article is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this article to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (February 2012)

Shopping district Noordse Bosje

• The home of the Dutch open golf tournament KLM Open.
• It was the location of the assassination of politician Pim Fortuyn.
• The large Catholic neo-gothic St. Vitus church (P.J.H. Cuypers, 1892, belltower 96 metres).
• The city played host to many landscape artists during the 19th century, including Barend Cornelis Koekkoek.

Transportation[link]

Hilversum is well connected to the Dutch railway network, and contains three stations:

• Hilversum railway station
• Hilversum Noord railway station
• Hilversum Sportpark railway station

The best links are from Hilversum railway station, as this is an Intercity station.

Local government[link]

The municipal council of Hilversum in 2010 consists of 37 seats, which are divided as followed:^[5]

• D66 – 8 seats
• VVD – 7 seats
• PvdA – 6 seats
• CDA – 3 seats
• SP – 3 seats
• GroenLinks – 3 seats
• Hart voor Hilversum – 3 seats
• ChristenUnie – 2 seats
• Leefbaar Hilversum – 2 seats

It was the first city with a "Leefbaar" party (which was intended as just a local party).

Born in Hilversum[link]

Notable people born in Hilversum:

• Joop den Uyl (1919–1987), prime minister
• Henk Hermsen (1937), water polo player
• John Gerretsen (1942), politician
• André Hermsen (1942), water polo player
• Evert Kroon (1946), water polo goalkeeper
• Dick Diamonde (1947), bassist
• Wim Hermsen (1947), water polo player
• Bartha Knoppers (1951), lawyer
• Erland Van Lidth de Jeude (1953–1987), actor,wrestler and opera singer
• Ton van Klooster (1954), freestyle swimmer and swimming coach
• Nico Landeweerd (1954), water polo player
• Andy Hoepelman (1955), water polo player
• John de Mol (1955), media tycoon
• Dick Nieuwenhuizen (1957), water polo player and coach
• Ton Bollebakker (1958), draughts player
• Ellen Bontje (1958), equestrian
• Hansje Bunschoten (1958), swimmer and TV-presenter
• Arjen Anthony Lucassen (1960), musician and composer
• André Rouvoet (1962), politician
• Reggie de Jong (1964), freestyle swimmer
• Koos Issard (1971), water polo player
• Dave Luza (1974), Improv Comedian, Actor
• Kelly van der Veer (1980), Big Brother contestant, singer, famous transsexual
• Gijsbert Haan (1801), founder of the Christian Reformed Church in America
• Geertje Wielema (1934–2009) swimmer & Olympic athlete

References[link]

Sources[link]

• Statistics have been taken from the SDU Staatscourant

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hilversum

• City of Hilversum
• Hilversum Airport
• Hilversum Media Park
• Institute for Vision and Sound
• Hilversum travel guide from Wikitravel

v t e    Municipalities of North Holland Aalsmeer Alkmaar Amstelveen Amsterdam (Government) Anna Paulowna Beemster Bergen Beverwijk Blaricum Bloemendaal Bussum Castricum Den Helder Diemen Drechterland Edam-Volendam Enkhuizen Graft-De Rijp Haarlem Haarlemmerliede en Spaarnwoude Haarlemmermeer Harenkarspel Heemskerk Heemstede Heerhugowaard Heiloo Hilversum Hoorn Huizen Koggenland Landsmeer Langedijk Laren Medemblik Muiden Naarden Niedorp Oostzaan Opmeer Ouder-Amstel Purmerend Schagen Schermer Stede Broec Texel Uitgeest Uithoorn Velsen Waterland Weesp Wieringen Wieringermeer Wijdemeren Wormerland Zaanstad Zandvoort Zeevang Zijpe See also Netherlands Provinces Municipalities

v t e Olympic venues in equestrian 1900: 7th arrondissement of Paris 1912: Fältrittklubben, Liljeholmen, Lindarängen, Östermalm Athletic Grounds, Stockholm Olympic Stadium 1920: Olympisch Stadion 1924: Hippodrome d'Auteuil, Stade de Colombes 1928: Hilversum, Olympic Stadium 1932: Olympic Stadium, Riviera Country Club, Westchester 1936: Döberitz, Mayfield, Olympic Stadium 1948: Aldershot, Empire Stadium, Tweseldown Racecourse 1952: Laakso, Olympic Stadium, Ruskeasuo Equestrian Hall, Tali Race Track 1956: Lill-Jansskogen, Olympic Stadium, Ulriksdal 1960: Piazza di Siena, Pratoni del Vivaro 1964: Karuizawa, National Stadium 1968: Avándaro Golf Club, Campo Marte, Estadio Olímpico Universitario 1972: Dressage Facility Nymphenburg, Olympiastadion, Riding Facility, Riem 1976: Olympic Equestrian Centre, Bromont, Olympic Stadium 1980: Grand Arena, Trade Unions' Equestrian Complex 1984: Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Santa Anita Park 1988: Olympic Stadium, Seoul Equestrian Park 1992: Club Hípic El Montayá, Real Club de Polo de Barcelona 1996: Georgia International Horse Park 2000: Sydney International Equestrian Centre 2004: Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre 2008: Hong Kong Equestrian Venues 2012: Greenwich Park 2016: National Equestrian Center

v t e Olympic venues in modern pentathlon 1912: Barkarby, Djurgårdsbrunnsviken, Kaknäs, Östermalm Athletic Grounds, Stockholm Olympic Stadium • 1920: Olympisch Stadion • 1924: Fontainebleau, Le Stand de Tir de Versailles, Piscine des Tourelles, Stade de Colombes • 1928: Amersfoort, Hilversum, Olympic Sports Park Swim Stadium, Schemzaal, Zeeburg Shooting Grounds • 1932: 160th Regiment State Armory, Los Angeles Police Pistol Range, Riviera Country Club, Sunset Fields Golf Club, Swimming Stadium • 1936: Döberitz, Haus des Deutschen Sports, Olympic Swimming Stadium, Ruhleben, Wannsee Golf Course • 1948: Aldershot, Bisley National Rifle Association Ranges, Royal Military Academy • 1952: Hämeenlinna • 1956: Oaklands Hunt Club, Royal Exhibition Building, Swimming/Diving Stadium, Williamstown • 1960: Acqua Santa Golf Club Course, Palazzo dei Congressi, Passo Corese, Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto, Umberto I Shooting Range • 1964: Asaka Nezu Park, Asaka Shooting Range, Kemigawa, National Gymnasium, Waseda Memorial Hall • 1968: Campo Militar 1, Fernando Montes de Oca Fencing Hall, Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool, Vincente Suárez Shooting Range • 1972: Messegelände Fechthalle 2, Olympiastadion, Riding Facility, Riem; Schießanlage, Schwimmhalle • 1976: Montreal Botanical Garden, Olympic Equestrian Centre, Bromont; Olympic Pool, Olympic Shooting Range, L'Acadie; Winter Stadium, Université de Montréal • 1980: CSKA Football Fieldhouse, Dynamo Shooting Range, Swimming Pool - Olimpisky, Trade Unions' Equestrian Complex • 1984: Coto de Caza, Heritage Park Aquatic Center • 1988: Jamsil Indoor Swimming Pool, Mongchon Tosong, Olympic Fencing Gymnasium, Seoul Equestrian Park, Taenung International Shooting Range • 1992: Cross-country course, Mollet del Vallès Shooting Range, Palau de la Metal·lúrgia, Piscines Bernat Picornell, Real Club de Polo de Barcelona • 1996: Georgia International Horse Park, Georgia Tech Aquatic Center, Georgia World Congress Center • 2000: Sydney Baseball Stadium, Sydney International Aquatic Centre, The Dome and Exhibition Complex • 2004: Olympic Modern Pentathlon Centre • 2008: Olympic Green Convention Center, Olympic Sports Centre, Ying Tung Natatorium • 2012: Aquatics Centre, Greenwich Park, Copper Box, Royal Artillery Barracks • 2016: Deodoro Modern Pentathlon Park

Herman van Veen
Herman van Veen (1998)
Born	Hermannus Jantinus van Veen (1945-03-14) March 14, 1945 (age 67) Utrecht, Netherlands
Occupation	Actor

Hermannus Jantinus "Herman" van Veen (born 14 March 1945) is a Dutch stage performer, actor, musician and singer/songwriter and author. He is most famous as the creator of the Dutch-Japanese cartoon Alfred J. Kwak, for which he also wrote, as well as composed and performed most of the music.^[1][2][3]

He also performed the voice overs for the characters Johan Sebastian Kwak, Krabnagel de Kater en Professor Paljas (English: Professor Buffon) in the Dutch version of Alfred J. Kwak.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Herman van Veen at the Internet Movie Database
• Complete discography with pictures

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Herman van Veen

This article about a Dutch actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e