“They took my baby away, I want to play again.” Peter Matthijssen is definitely no longer allowed to play his trumpet in the city center by the Council of State. Barely recovered from the legal blow earlier this week, the city horner of Roosendaal is combative as never before: “I hope for a permit from the municipality and a new trumpet as soon as possible.”
Peter has been playing the trumpet since childhood. Especially when his later life was not always easy, the wind instrument was his musical source of support. “When I play, I feel liberated. No sadness for a moment,” he says with restrained emotion.
Unfortunately, not everyone in town appreciated Peter’s musical outlet. It was not so much his limited repertoire but especially his nighttime performance that caused irritation. Despite several warnings and fines, Peter continued to sing unabated. Peter’s trumpet was confiscated no fewer than seventeen times by enforcement and police.
“Witch hunt for my client.”
According to Peter’s lawyer Ziya Yeral, there has been a ‘witch hunt’ for his client in recent years. “Regardless of what you think of the musical quality, the way in which Peter was chased was really exaggerated. At one point, enforcers had hidden themselves behind a tree to take their blow when Peter would grab his trumpet. He was even tapped on the fingers during carnival. It happened a stone’s throw from the place where several mop bands were playing, you can find something about that.”
Peter litigated all the way to the Council of State to demonstrate that his artistic freedom was being restricted. The highest court ruled against him: “Playing the trumpet in the city center leads to nuisance and therefore complaints. The fact that there are also people who like the music does not change this.”
“I respect the ruling because there is now finally clarity. This means that I am now going to become a decent citizen,” Peter laughs. The only way he still has a chance to play is with a permit from the municipality. “I have now submitted the application. It would be nice if I at least get permission to play in the parks. Or at the rugby club where they have been missing me for a while.”
He continues: “Roosendaal could also use some musical cheerfulness. So many bad things have been happening lately. I can assure you that everywhere I play there is no rot.”
“Playing is therapeutic for me.”
The only thing missing now is a trumpet. Since his last copy was confiscated, Peter can no longer play. “That’s actually the worst thing for me. Playing is therapeutic for me, much more than just making music. Maybe someone has a trumpet lying around that is no longer played. I promise she will have a golden life with me.”
