Groen Antwerp votes against the last wish of the deceased Stranger Bob

Bart De Wever: “You miss the point. Concerns about an Antwerp canon are interesting but irrelevant ”

Mayor Bart De Wever, himself a big fan of the Antwerp group, informed Annouri that he found Groen’s counter-vote inappropriate.

“You miss the point of the proposal. The Strangers have been active for nearly 70 years. They sang the city’s soundtrack. The recognition of ‘Antwaarpe’ as a national anthem is a gesture towards the three living Strangers (John De Wilde, Alex Boeye and Nest Adriaensen, ed.). Reflections on an Antwerp canon are interesting, but are irrelevant for this agenda item. I will let Bob Van Staeyen’s family know that the proposal has been approved, but not unanimously. ”

Daughter Chrisje reacted pleased and grateful to the decision of the city council. Green’s voice hurts, “But I didn’t expect anything else”, it sounds.

It became clear on Saturday that the song ‘Antwaarpe’ means a lot to Stranger Bob, but also to his daughter Chrisje. In all intimacy, in the garden behind the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe cathedral, Bob said goodbye to Bob in an extremely limited circle with a song. This was done on the initiative of Gust Romain. He is also satisfied with the recognition by the city council, but does not have a good word for the Green vote against: “This proves that the inclusivity that Groen keeps talking about is only one that comes from one side. It is clear that this party wants to be a ‘citizen of the world’ so hard that they even abandon their own city. Unfortunately”

Intimate commemoration for Stranger Bob with singing stage

This was done in the utmost discretion, without cameras or photographers, in the presence of a few loyal fans, including some prominent politicians. In the garden of the cathedral, with respect for all current security measures, a short commemoration ceremony was held. The initiator addressed those present:

“Dear friends of ‘Den Bob’, Stranger Bob, who doesn’t know this Antwerp troubadour? His sensitive, talented voice is no more. Stolen from us by a nasty disease. Chrisje, Bob’s daughter unfortunately cannot be here, due to illness. ”

“Besides being a singer, Bob was also a beloved husband, father and grandfather. I have noticed that in the reactions of his relatives to this commemoration. The Strangers have existed for almost 70 years. For almost 60 years, Bob was a member of them. Bob, that’s ‘Antwaarps’. The only Flemish dialect that does not require subtitles. Passed on from generation to generation. Thanks Bob, just teach the angels to sing. ”

Subsequently, the tones of ‘Antwaarpe’ echoed in memory of Bob. Thanks to the decision of the Antwerp city council, this song will once again have a special meaning for Antwerpers in the future.

–