Tribute to victims of Pukkelpop

The organisers of the Pukkelpop music festival are setting up a fund for the victims of the storm that raged through the festival site two weeks ago, killing five people and injuring more than 140. Last week it was announced that one of those hurt, a 24-year-old man from Brasschaat in Antwerp province, had died of his injuries, bringing the death toll to six. Pukkelpop founder and director Chokri Mahassine said that the fund would be entirely independent of the music festival itself, though he would be available for help and support if required.

Last Sunday, 28 August, about 3,000 people gathered in the centre of Hasselt in remembrance of the victims. White balloons and roses were handed out, and the participants then walked in silence to the festival site just outside of town.

Meanwhile, all the Flemish bands scheduled to play at the three-day festival agreed to return their payment for their appearance, which was paid in advance. Other bands have until mid-November to decide if they will do the same.

In addition, Sabam, the performing arts agency that collects royalties on behalf of musicians, has announced it will not collect from Pukkelpop this year, leaving open the possibility that the organisation may even help sponsor the festival in future. Mahassine has vowed to “fight for the survival” of Pukkelpop, whose future, according to the mayor of Hasselt, Hilde Claes, is currently “uncertain”.

(August 30, 2011)