1/2 Photo: Marcel van Dorst/Eye4Images
DJ Hardwell has been appointed honorary citizen of Breda. Just before his set at the Breda Live festival, he was surprised by mayor Depla. It is not just a title that Hardwell receives: only two other Breda residents who are still alive can call themselves honorary citizens of the city.
The DJ from Breda is known in everyday life as Robbert van de Corput and as Hardwell he has a laundry list of special achievements to his name. He is known all over the world as DJ Hardwell and was twice named the best DJ in the world by DJ MAG. It has won all kinds of international prizes and awards and is one of the Netherlands’ most successful export products.
“You mention Hardwell, then Breda will follow in the same breath.”
In addition to those great achievements, Hardwell was born, raised and still lives in Breda. A city he feels very connected to and talks about with pride. Mayor Depla mentioned this as the reason for granting him honorary citizenship: “If you call Hardwell, then Breda often follows in the same breath. Robbert puts Breda on the international map with his talent, his achievements, but also with pride about our city. Breda is just as proud of him as he is of our city.”
According to Depla, the Breda college and the city council, he is not only entitled to honorary citizenship because of his personal achievements, but also because of what he means to the city. In this way he helps young talents to develop further and gives Breda DJs and producers a chance to break through by having them perform in his opening act. But it is also important for the city from an economic point of view. At Hardwell’s record label, half of the employees come from Breda. And all kinds of companies from Breda are involved in his world tour.
“Of all the nominations, this is one of the most special.”
A world tour in which he also makes room for a performance on Breda Live. This year he does that for the seventh time. He was presented with the medal of honor just before he was to start performing. Hardwell himself was a bit shaken by the appointment. “I did not see this coming and I feel very honored. I am really very proud of this appointment. Of all the nominations, this is one of the most special.”
There are two other residents of Breda who can call themselves honorary citizens of the city. One is former mayor Van der Velden and the other is colleague DJ Thijs Verwest, better known as DJ Tiësto.
