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Post by gerrit on Feb 17, 2008 19:08:09 GMT
Hi All, I would really like to draw your attention to the Dutch artist Johannes Heesters. Believe it or not, he has recently turned 104 ! In Holland, he is a controversial figure, because in the period of the Second World War, he was willing to perform before Hitler and the Nazis. As far as records go, he never expressed support for the Nazis though, and the Allied forces allowed him to continue to perform unhindered. Last weekend, he performed in public in Holland for the first time in 40 years. Yes, he gave a performance at 104 years of age, in Amersfoort, the city where he was born in 1903 (coincidentally that's the city where I completed my secondary education). The performance drew some unruly elements, with a number of arrests being made. Whereas I have mixed feelings about him, I do think he should be allowed to perform in public. He has not collaborated with the nazis, his main fault appears to be that he did not condemn them. Still, he must be one of the oldest performers ever to appear on stage. Being a supporter of young classical performers, I certainly am not contemplating a site for him ... I am interested in other people's thoughts about this! Gerrit PS His official site is located in Germany. Significant?
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