On Sunday July 21, 2019, the 15th in the series of concerts and the100th concert on the Vrijthof Square
took place. The Mayor of Maastricht, Mrs. Annemarie Penn-te Strake, who is an André fan herself,
interrupted the concert to hand out an award from the city Maastricht to their most famous resident.
Because he already has received all the distinctions of the city, they created a bronze plaque which will be
placed into the pavement of the Vrijthof Square forever and ever, exactly on the same place where the
stage is erected every year.
André was touched and took Frank’s handkerchief
to dry his tears!
On the plaque is a line in Limburg dialect, taken from the Maastricht anthem:
“Our eyes shine with your glory”.
André was very happy with this token of appreciation
by the city of Maastricht.
For an article in the Limburg paper, go to the Harmony Parlor website, click HERE.
Mayor Annemarie Penn and the musician laid the last stones around the bronze plaque. "He had already
received all the awards from the city of Maastricht. But we thought that we still had to make a special
gesture and we are very happy with this. He promotes our city all over the world. You can't imagine a better
promotor."
October 25th 2019. From Chapeau Magazine, by Jo Cortenraedt.
The most famous Maastricht resident was immortalized on the Vrijthof with the unveiling of a bronze plaque
offered by the city. André Rieu showed himself visibly honored. “To my surprise, during the 100th concert
last summer here at the Vrijthof, I already received a symbolic plaque, which made me very emotional. And
now here is the real plaque, exactly where I enter the square at every concert. I really feel very proud.
Photo credits: Han Scheuerman.
January 2020.