Swedish superstar Isabelle Haak honoured with mural in hometown Ängelholm
News
A world-class artwork for a world-class Volleyball player! On Sunday, September 7, a mural of Isabelle ‘Bella’ Haak was completed and unveiled in her hometown Ängelholm. The piece has been created on a beautiful façade in central Ängelholm, right next to the city park and the main street, Storgatan.
The artist is internationally renowned street art creator Zabou, who began her work last Wednesday. On Sunday, the mural was officially inaugurated with a public ceremony.
“I really love this image of Isabelle. She looks confident and gazes outward, perhaps toward the future. It was a beautiful expression to portray,” said Zabou, as quoted by regional newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad.
Haak, who joined the ceremony via video link from Italy where she is preparing for a new season with reigning champions Imoco Volley Conegliano, shared her feelings:
“At first, I did not quite understand what it meant to be portrayed like this, but then I was so happy – it felt like a great honour. Now, seeing the mural, it feels truly special.”
The Swedish Volleyball Federation was represented at the ceremony by board member Rolf Bernro.
A tribute from her hometown
The initiative for the mural came from Ängelholm Municipality, who wanted to pay tribute to their world-famous athlete. The municipality stated:
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 the sport and her city
A tribute of this kind is truly unique. Never before has a Swedish Volleyball player been honoured in this way by their hometown. The mural stands as yet another sign of how the sport and its athletes are stepping further into the spotlight in Sweden, earning increasing recognition and respect.
‘Bella’ is not only a global Volleyball star but also a remarkable ambassador for the sport and for her hometown Ängelholm, which through the local club EVS (Engelholms VS) has built a strong tradition – something the municipality is eager to highlight.
The mural is the latest example of that commitment. Another milestone was the CEV European Golden League Final Four, hosted at Ängelholm’s impressive Catena Arena on June 28-29, in collaboration between the municipality, Visit Skåne, Backahills Sport & Evenemang, EVS, and the Swedish Volleyball Federation. The event turned into a true festival of Volleyball, drawing record-breaking crowds for the Swedish women’s national team matches on two consecutive days.
The same national team recently finished 19th in their first ever appearance in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship and next year will be contesting a historic EuroVolley on home soil in Gothenburg.