More than 20 artists will perform tonight during the great Giro 555 benefit concert in Philharmonie Haarlem. Trijntje Oosterhuis, Roel van Velzen, Ruben Annink and Cor Bakker, among others, raise money with their performances for aid to Turkey and Syria, where devastating earthquakes took place last week that killed more than 33,000 people.
Pianist Cor Bakker
Pianist Cor Bakker became very enthusiastic when he was asked to play the benefit concert. “The terrible images you see are very moving to everyone. I was also watching those images with tears in my eyes. I am therefore very happy that I can do something and at least contribute something through a benefit concert. “
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The images that impressed Bakker the most were in a fragment of the NOS Journaal. “But fortunately that fragment was removed later,” says Bakker. “These were images from Syria, where there was no help at all in the beginning. There was a man crying in panic. He heard people shouting from under the rubble, and he stood there completely helpless. You just had to experience it, it is beyond comprehension. Terrible.”
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“This Is The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Seen”
Singer Willeke Alberti
Willeke Alberti wants to do everything to come and perform, but for now the singer is still sick in bed with a ‘severe throat infection’. And she talks about that. “It is badly needed. Everyone gives what they can give to ensure that people in Turkey and Syria can sleep normally under a roof and in a normal bed as soon as possible. We also have to ensure that the children can get to school as soon as possible.”
‘Inhuman’
Alberti knows a number of Turkish artists, but was especially moved by the television performance of the Turkish singer Karsu Dönmez with Eva Jinek. “I met her not very long ago and I have great admiration for her and all her people and colleagues. It is almost impossible to do. It is so inhumane what happened there in Turkey. And imagine if it happened to you from so close. I think this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”
Alberti hopes to be better in time to perform, but that chance is small. “I’m going to talk as little as possible this weekend and do everything I can to still perform, but of course I shouldn’t infect anyone.”
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Comedians Veldhuis & Kemper
Veldhuis & Kemper didn’t have to think twice about participating in the benefit concert. “As Haarlemmers, we didn’t have to think for a second about such a beautiful and especially much-needed initiative from our ‘home theater’,” says Remco Veldhuis.
They themselves have no acquaintances in Turkey, but they did spend a week in Eastern Turkey last summer for a TV programme. “Although north of the disaster area, I did get to know how very nice and hospitable the people are there.”
‘Incomprehensible so harrowing’
The images of the earthquake are burned into Veldhuis’ retina. “Every sensible person can only be deeply moved by the suffering that takes place there. Your safe place, your family, your security, in a few seconds there is nothing left of it. It is almost impossible to comprehend how harrowing .”
“Every sane person cannot help but be deeply gripped by suffering”
There is one video in particular that made an impression on Veldhuis. “The image of the man who held his deceased daughter’s hand for hours and hours, as a father of two daughters, is burned on my retina. The images give you such an enormous feeling of powerlessness, but through such an initiative, no matter how negligibly small our contribution, we can still do something.”
The benefit concert starts tonight at 8 p.m. The concert will be broadcasted on NH Nieuws and can be followed live via the social channels of NH Nieuws and Philharmonie Haarlem. A ticket costs 35 euros and thanks to Coca Cola, Brand Bierbrouwerij and Vinites, the proceeds from catering sales will also benefit Giro 555 in full. The aim of this evening is to collect at least 40,000 euros.
