Den Helder

Between the church and the Koepoort in Woudrichem stands the statue of the much-sung trumpeter Jan Claesen. Jan Claesen himself is buried in the cemetery of Andel, a part of Woudrichem. With the music of Boudewijn de Groot and the lyrics of Lennaert Nijgh, Rob de Nijs and Boudewijn de Groot made Jan Claesen known again in the Low Countries: 'Jan Claesen was a trumpeter in the army of the prince. He marched from Den Helder to Den Briel. And he was no hero and had no money and he did not love the violence of war. But he was indeed a trumpeter in heart and soul.'
Jan Claesen was murdered on October 8, 1634. The gravestone reveals that 'A murderer from Breda killed him with his own pistol. Jan Claesen shed his blood innocently after those stabs.'
The statue in Woudrichem was stolen on New Year's Eve of 1980. The municipality of Woudrichem received a letter with the message that Jan Claesen belongs in Andel. And on the old church tower by the cemetery of Andel, a sign appeared with the motto: 'Jan belongs here.' The perpetrator has never been found. In the meantime, the statue is back in its place.

Lannoo