Aarhus’ starry sky goes dark – Association disbands

The traditional 850-meter long ‘starry sky’ with 750,000 lights that adorned the streets of Aarhus during Christmas will no longer shine, as the trade association managing it has decided to auction it off. The association, facing financial challenges, could not afford the annual cost of 800,000 to one million Danish kroner to maintain it. Sponsor pledges and municipal support amounted to 600,000 kroner, but that was insufficient. Membership of the association has dwindled from 130 to 30–35 members over six years, prompting its dissolution. After 20 years of lighting up Aarhus in November and December, the starry sky is for sale, with the auction ending on November 15. Association chairman Claus Broberg expresses a hope to find a buyer, preferably outside the neighboring areas, indicating that seeing it nearby would be unbearable.