Flemish city of Ostend pays tribute to rock singer Arno with program; ashes go to the sea
“I’m not afraid of death, but I do think about my children, and the people around me. At my funeral I want to hear the song ‘Like a rolling stone’ by Bob Dylan.
And my ashes must be scattered in the sea, for Ostend. That’s what I want,” Arno Hintjens said once in an interview with Studio Brussel.
The Belgian rock king passed away this Saturday, April 23. The former frontman of TC Matic, one of the best-known Belgian bands of the 1980s, will get the funeral that he wanted. The City of Ostend announced that the ashes of Arno will be returned to the North Sea from its beaches, where he was born and raised. Besides, several activities have been organized to celebrate the life of the Belgian artist.
"The people of Ostend will never forget Arno", promised the mayor of the seaside town, Bart Tommelein.
A physical register of condolences is open in the De Grote Post cultural center in Ostend, accessible until April 30 from 12 AM to 8 PM.
Fans can also leave a farewell message via the online mourning register on the website of the City of Ostend: www.oostende.be/rouwregister/detail/5/arno
Moreover, the City of Ostend will make a virtual collage that honors Arno as a person and artist with the personal memories shared by fans at www.oostende.be/arno.
The wall bearing Arno's effigy on Ostend town hall will be illuminated. Visitors and passers-by will be able to go there to listen, at 7, 8 and 9 PM to some of his most famous songs.
Arno will greet everyone who enters Ostend via the President John F. Kennedy roundabout with a wink.
Arno's mural on City Hall, which British artist Helen Bur made in 2020 for The Crystal Ship, will be featured in the coming days.
To close the program, the City of Ostend organized a special screening of the documentary Charlatan that Dominique Deruddere made about the life and career of Arno. It will take place on 8 May at 10.30 am in Kinepolis Oostende. Tickets will be on sale from Monday through the UiTloket.
(VIV)
© BELGA PHOTO (JONAS ROOSENS) Arno performs at the Kursaal concert hall in Ostend, Friday 25 February 2022.