Viersen

Viersen is situated approximately 8 km north-west of Mönchengladbach, 15 km south-west of Krefeld and 20 km east of Venlo (Netherlands). Division of the town The city of Viersen is made up of three (formerly independent) cities: Süchteln, Dülken and Viersen, which combined in 1970, and one former village, Boisheim, which combined with Viersen in 1968. ==Politics==

The current mayor of Viersen is Christoph Hopp of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since November 2025. Previous mayoral election was held on 13 September 2020, with a runoff held on 27 September, and the results were as follows: City council The Viersen city council governs the city alongside the Mayor. The most recent city council election was held on 13 September 2020, and the results were as follows: ==Economy==

The company Mars Incorporated (chocolate bars) is situated in one of Viersen's industrial districts named Dülken-Mackenstein. (a big supermarkets chain in Germany) had his headquarter in Viersen, until it was closed in 2010. Cable manufacturer SAB Bröckskes employs 550 people (430 of them in Viersen-Süchteln). ==Culture==

Recurring events • Viersen Jazz Festival (International Jazz Festival in Viersen's Festival Hall) 4th weekend each September. • The World Championships of Carom billiards take place in Viersen's Festival Hall. March • Big Carnival Parades in all 3 city parts. The one in Dülken is one of the biggest and most traditional Parades in North Rhine-Westphalia. February • The Dülkener Schöppenmarkt, a type of flea/junk market, which takes place on the day after the last Carnival parade, is one of Germany's biggest. February • Big free flea market in Viersen's pedestrian zone, where only children are allowed to sell. Biggest market of this type in Germany. Summer • "Viersen blüht" (Viersen is blooming) is a voluntary initiative which places arrangements and sculptures of flowers all over the city's pedestrian zone. Summer • International Biker Meeting, organized by the local biker-club "MC Viersen 1980 e.V.". 2nd weekend each September • Big kite-flying-festival. Autumn ==Main sights==

• Viersen sculpture collection • Städtische Galerie im Park Viersen • Viersen Bismarck Tower • Festhalle Viersen ==Transport==

Viersen is connected to the region by a dense bus network and Viersen station. The station is served by various local and regional rail lines. ==Notable people==

• Gustav von Mevissen (1815–1899), businessman and politician • Max Nonnenbruch (1857–1922), painter • Illa Martin (1900–1988), dendrologist, botanist, conservationist and dentist • Albert Vigoleis Thelen (1903–1989), author and translator • Hilde Bruch (1904–1984), psychoanalyst • Erik Martin (1936–2017), writer, songwriter and composer of songs • Helmut Reisen (born 1950), economist • Udo Voigt (born 1952), politician • Holger Henke (born 1960), political scientist • Elmar Theveßen (born 1967), TV-journalist and author • Till Brönner (born 1971), musician, arranger and producer • Mirja Boes (born 1971), comedian, actress and singer • Martin Plum (born 1982), politician • Roosevelt (born 1990) music producer and singer • Tim Stützle (born 2002), professional ice hockey player • Ali Haurand (1943-2018), double bassist, bandleader, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and Viersen jazz festival founder ==Twin towns – sister cities==

Viersen is twinned with: • Calau, Germany • Kaniv, Ukraine • Lambersart, France • Mittweida, Germany • Pardesiya, Israel • Peterborough, England, United Kingdom ==References==