Book towns, in some cases, are small rural towns with second-hand bookshops. Or, as in this case in Denmark, not even a town: Torup, 60 kilometres North  of  the  Danish capital.More like a village, in fact.  Well, a very small village. But still it features a  number of different  tiny  book shops that are open all year round. Well, not quite book shops, all of them. More like small book carts. The largest bookshop is located in the local, wonderfully restored Dyssekilde train station, which also hosts the local Farmers’ Market. This, by the way, obtained the National Slow Food Award in 2026.

Torup offers authors’ courses, talks, and book presentations, often in collaboration with other local cultural activities, festivals, and e.g. the local church. This is small-scale rural development. Small is indeed beautiful.

Torup Booktown celebrates its first 20 years in 2026.