SCULPTURE OF CORNELIS VREESWIJK UNVEILED

With the unveiling of his sculpture in IJmuiden, fifteen years after his death, Cornelis Vreeswijk gets the recognition he deserves. In the Netherlands he left only a modest repertoire, but was known for his individual voice. In Sweden, however, he was an honoured, if not idolized, songwriter who entered the ranks of the greatest troubadours and poets in Swedish history, among whom Bellman.
Finally, on Saturday, June 7, the event took place so many Vreeswijk fans, in Holland, Flanders and the Scandinavian countries, had looked forward to. Their legendary poet and songwriter now has his monument on top of the dunes, near the South Pier Beach Pavilion, in his beloved birthplace IJmuiden. Cornelis faces the sea with his gaze towards Sweden.

Cornelis was born in 1937 in IJmuiden. At the age of twelve he left with his parents for Sweden. There, in time, he started a remarkable and successful career as a singer. In Holland he is famous for his songs 'Veronica', 'De nozem en de non' (The Teddy boy and the nun) and 'Misschien wordt het morgen beter' (Maybe tomorrow it'll be better). His individual voice brought him a large audience.

The bronze bust was unveiled by Ria Post, the mother of John van Dijk, a councillor of Velsen (deceased in 2001), who took the initiative for this monument. Fans from the Netherlands, Flanders, Denmark, Germany and Sweden were present at the event. The younger generation among the members of the Cornelis Vreeswijk Society performed many of his songs.

Just before John van Dijk's untimely death, the Council of Velsen gave permission to erect a monument on the beach of IJmuiden. A dream came true. The City of Velsen and the Cornelis Vreeswijk Society, a club of Vreeswijk aficionados, made it all possible. The Society honours the memory of Cornelis with regular gatherings and musical evenings where his work is performed.

The day was concluded with a festive party in the Thalia Theater of IJmuiden, organized by the Cornelis Vreeswijk Society. Among the performing artists were Jules Croiset, Tonny Bik-Vreeswijk - sister of Cornelis, Bob Fosko & Jan Paul van de Meij, Ibo and the Alibi's, Della Bossiers, Ben van der Linden, Kick van der Veer and Jan Deurloo.