V.L Information

Torekov; A brief history.

Torekov is a small coastal town in the municipality of Båstad, located on the tip of the peninsula of Bjäre, in the south-west of Sweden. With its close proximity to Denmark, its placement offers great international links.
Torekov is an old fishing village, and nowadays it's well known as an exclusive summer resort, still retaining its cultural heritage and old world feel.

Legend tells that the town is named after a girl later known as St Thora. She drowned and was found on the shore of Torekov, where a blind man regained his sight after having touched her. As a sign of gratitude he erected a chapel in her name. St Thora's chapel dates back to 1344.
The name of Torekov can also be refered to two old words - thora meaning height, and kove meaning cabin or hut.

On the beach of Torekov there was a spring which water was believed to possess healing powers. It was a place of pilgrimage for as long as the nineteenth century. It is believed that Torekov was an old well known pagan cult center devoted to the god Tor, of whom St Thora was a Christian version. They both had similar tasks - protecting the men at sea.
Today the ruins of St Thora's chapel have been converted into a small park, a natural village meeting place not many steps away from the harbor. The fishermen's cabins and captain's lodges that make up much of the village's idyllic environment date back to the middle of the nineteenth century, when this small fishing place was turning into a prosperous shipping community.

A 20 minute boat ride from the harbor takes you to Hallands Väderö, a wonderfully marshy nature reserve full of life and tranquility.

Cozily slumbering during the winter months, Torekov bursts into life during the summer. The population of Torekov is usually around 1200, but increases to more than five times its normal size during the warm months.

Since Valdemar spent the latter part of his teen years in the adjacent city of Ängelholm, he always cherished visiting friends in Torekov. The village grew him close to heart, and in early 2009, just in time for the first buds of green to appear on trees and bushes, he fulfilled his dream of setting up his studio in this beautiful place by the sea.
Should you ever make your way to Torekov you are most welcome to pay Valdemar a visit in his studio for a cup of tea and a chat.