Friends,Can't tell you how good it makes me feel to have you appear in my life in this manner. I'm very proud and by " linking" I've already learned quite a lot about you.Because things have become somewhat demanding, I have called upon Letja Verstijnen to help me out. Don't be surprised if now and then you also hear from her. That will actually be coming from me.Greetings,Herman_______________________
Vrienden, Kan niet zeggen hoe leuk ik het vind, dat u zich op deze manier in mijn leven manifesteert. Ben er reuze fier op. Heb al heel wat zo links en rechts al linkend van u opgestoken. Omdat e.e.a. nogal bewerkelijk wordt heb ik de hulp ingeroepen van Letja Verstijnen. Wees niet verbaasd als ook zij af en toe iets van zich laat horen. Dat komt dan eigenlijk van mij, groet Herman.
Herman van Veen, singer, writer of songs, fairy tales and stories was born in Utrecht on March 14, 1945. He grew up as the only boy in a working class family and studied violin, voice and music pedagogy at the Utrecht Conservatory. He made his theater debut in 1965 with the musical, clownish solo show Harlekijn (Harlequin). Since then he has travelled all over the world, performing in four and a half languages.His first bundle of verses and stories was published in 1969. The first book of his world- famous creation, Alfred Jodocus Kwak appeared in 1979 and has since been translated into 20 different languages. To date he has created 142 CDs, 12 DVDs, some sixty-odd books and numerous scenarios for, among other things, the feature films “Uit Elkaarâ€, “Nachtvlinderâ€, and the music theater production “The First Ladyâ€.For several years Herman van Veen was a committee member and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in The Netherlands, after which he established four organizations: Colombine; The Alfred J. Kwak Foundation; The Rose Foundation; and The Herman van Veen Foundation. All four stand up for the Rights of the Child and endeavor to support those rights by means of modest projects in developing countries as well as in Europe.He is the bearer of The Louis Davids Ring (Louis Davids was a legendary Dutch entertainer in the 1920s and 30s), which he received from the late Wim Kan, an illustrious Dutch comedian and political commentator. In 1993, he was decorated by the Dutch royal family and made Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau. In 1999 he received, on behalf of the President of the German Republic, The Verdienstkreuz am Bande des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, a Cross of Merit because of his special contributions to German-Dutch relations.Furthermore, he was awarded a Golden Camera (for Alfred Jodocus Kwak), a Silver Bear (Berlin Film Festival), eight Edisons (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy), the 2002 Radio 2 National Air Play Award, the Prix d’ Humanité, Le Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros for Literary Music 2003 for his theater show and CD “Chapeau†and Le Prix de l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie 2003 for his CD “Chapeau†and the Planetary Consciousness Award 2005 from the Club of Budapest. He also received awards at The International TV and Film Festivals in New York. In 2004 he received the World Peace Flame, a symbol of peace, freedom, unity and truth. A light inspired by the eternal flame that burns in Mahatma Ghandi's house. In 2005 Herman van Veen became ambassador for the Music in the Middle East Foundation. !
