The characteristic head of the Boomse honorary citizen Bobbejaan Schoepen will now adorn the side wall of the Alvo. — © JB
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Bobbejaan Schoepen will now adorn the side wall of the Alvo in Antwerpsestraat. He became the first honorary citizen of the municipality in 2009. He therefore took the initiative.
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Jan Boey
Yesterday at 7:43 PM–
It is a photo-realistic mural by the internationally renowned street artist Smates, after a photo by Johannes Vande Voorde. The painting was partly paid for with money from the Vlaio culture premium. Artist Bart Smeets, better known as Smates, says that working in black and white is very rewarding. “It’s fantastic that everyone responds so positively. I have already received a lot of compliments, ”he says.
Mayor Jeroen Baert (N-VA) says that the municipality pays tribute to Bobbejaan again with this portrait. “We are very grateful to the Schepen family that we were allowed to do this. We recently honored Bobbejaan in a live stream concert in the Studio De Steiger series. That concert can still be viewed on Youtube ”, culture alderman Inge De Ridder (N-VA) adds.
The five children of Bobbejaan and Josée Schoepen – Tom, Peggy, Jack, Myriam and Bob – are surprised with the tribute to their father in his native village.
Bobbejaan was born 96 years ago as Modest Hyppoliet Joanna Schoepen in Boom, where he also grew up. In 2009 he gave his last performance there. “We are pleased that Bobbejaan, eleven years after his death, lives on in the memory of the Bomenaars. We hope that the mural is the occasion for many stories, walks and encounters. That it makes Boom buzz with it, ”says the family.
–© Jan Boey
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The municipality wants to offer a walk to visit this type of street art. Also actress Loes Van den Heuvel, known for FC the champions, has already committed. Smates will paint her portrait next month. “Herbert Flack, our second honorary citizen, is also on the wish list, as is Roland Van Campenhout. There will also be a work on the Kaai that refers to the Hellegathonden van Suske en Wiske ”, says Mayor Baert.
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