Bells for Kaliningrad

I promised my good friend Jo to send his new child/ project into the world.
In his public life, Jo is a gifted musician, artist and teacher, director of our world famous royal carillon school in our town and professor ‘carillon’ at St Petersburg – Russia.
But I mainly support his efforts as an alchemist to make a difference in this world.
His bells are just a symbol to me, trying to reach people, far beyond the border of just one cathedral.
When I hear the carillon of our city play, I know Jo is dingdonging his heart out.
Did you ever see the effort a carillon player puts in that instrument, it is very hard work to let all those giant bells make a nice song, after climbing all the stairs of our cathedral, sitting in his lonely high up box, in an attempt to protect himself from wind and cold, in a solitary attempt to let the bells reach peoples hearts. How much more symbolic can it become.
In his cabine you see the 5 pointed star that he uses in his personal practice, his inspiration while making music…
If you ever come to our town we take you up into the tower it is a magnificent experience. If you hate heights it is a great way of facing your fears!

This is his letter:

“A third carillon for Russia in KALININGRAD !

In 2001, St. Petersburg’s first carillon, with 51 bells, was installed in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The occasion was the 300th anniversary of the city, and the initiative was supported by 355 sponsors from various countries. This revived the carillon tradition that was imported into Russia by Czar Peter the Great in the 18th century after he had become so enchanted by the carillons of the Low Countries.
In 2005, St. Petersburg was blessed with a second carillon which was hung in the Cavalry Tower in the Peterhof. The first bell bears the name of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the second bell was a gift from the Minister of Culture of the Flemish Community in Belgium.
In the meantime, a third city has become a candidate for a carillon, namely Kaliningrad, formerly known as Königsberg. Kaliningrad is not only an important seaport, but is also the birthplace of the famous philosopher Immanuel Kant. The administration of the carillon project will be handled by the Immanuel Kant Foundation, with the support of the Kaliningrad Ministry of Culture and the Royal Carillon School “Jef Denyn” of Mechelen, International Institute for the Carillon Art and Cultural Ambassador of Flanders (Belgium).

Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave that borders on the European Community. The city profiles itself as a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe, where cultural exchange and economic affairs are of great importance for promoting good relations between East and West. It is only natural that the carillon art – a quintessential form of social art – can play a role in this.

The carillon will be placed inside the beautifully restored cathedral, a rare arrangement beneath Gothic vaults. It will be a four-octave instrument with 51 bells. The intention is to create a real concert instrument that is capable of being played along with the extant organs and even with orchestra. A real first!

With this letter, I cordially invite you to participate in this worthy project as a sponsor. In recognition of your participation, you may choose a bell, whose inscription will immortalize in bronze, your name, your company/business name, your friends or beloved.

Naturally, you will be sent photographs of your bell and will be invited to witness a bellfounding as well as the festive inauguration of the carillon in Kaliningrad in 2008.

Enclosed please find a list with further information over the bells, their size, weight, and prices, in addition to a registration form.

With my most sincere thanks in advance for your possible participation, and with my kindest regards,

Jo Haazen”

Anyone interested can send me an email: wendy@wendyscheers.com, I will send you the list with bells, prices, etc.