A bronze memorial plaque for Karel Thiel was unveiled on Thursday on the facade of Karel Thiel’s former music store in the Graafsewijk in Den Bosch. It is a tribute to the writer of carnival hits ‘Give me the love and the fun’ and of course ‘Mien where is my party animal’ that will never be forgotten.
Karel Thiel wrote, among other things, famous carnival squatters, but he was best known in Den Bosch for his music shop, which he had for over 40 years. That is why grandson Mitchel de Vaan found tribute in place. Together with alderman Mike van der Geld, he removed the red cloth from the plaque on Thursday afternoon in the presence of family and friends of Karel Thiel.
While De Vaan proudly looks at the shiny plaque on the facade, he says: “When we talk about Grandpa, everyone has their own story or memories of him. It shows that many Bosschenaren know him and that he really meant something in the field of music in the city.”
tangible reminder
Yet it is difficult for Thiel’s grandson to be on the spot. He came to the store from an early age, but it no longer exists since Thiel’s death. “I have a lot of memories here. When I think of her place getting a different meaning, I find that difficult.”
For years, the music store sold singles, records, cassette tapes and CDs. But at the end it was only musical instruments. But many customers also came for fun, according to De Vaan. “Someone once came to buy a new reed for his clarinet, but they ended up chatting for two hours.”
De Vaan has discussed a takeover with his grandfather, but he didn’t like it. “That’s not for me. This was Grandpa’s place. He’s always said, ‘If I get out of here, they’ll have to carry me out’. That literally happened.”
This makes the plaque the only tangible reminder of Karel Thiel in the district.
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