ALL ANTWERP. “I like having a project that keeps a person alive” (Antwerp)
Every weekday our reporter and photographer pick a casual passer-by off the street for a nice conversation. Want everyone has a story. And certainly in Antwerp. Today: Klaas Janzoons (48).
“I’m on my way to the hardware store. I am winterizing my garden. I like to roll up my sleeves at home, just not every day. I have a cafe, Plaza Real, I own the Pekfabriek and I also have a restaurant: Essen. And I rent some apartments. A Ukrainian family recently moved into one of those flats. They came to us through Airbnb, but were looking for something longer term. And an apartment became available. I rent it out, so don’t give it away for free. They don’t want that either. They don’t want to be different. It is difficult for them to find work here because they do not have a permanent address. The prizes are also expensive, although I don’t get into that prize race. I just try to keep it. I’m glad those people have been helped, but I’m not a wild benefactor. But I do a lot of different things together. That’s also a bit coincidental. I’ve been playing with dEUS for 31 years, since I was 17, but between 1999 and 2004 there was even a break with the band. It wasn’t so clear back then that dEUS actually still existed, so it was time to look for something else. Then I was able to buy the Plaza Real property. I’ve been working on it for a lot of twenty years, a lot of work. I’m busy. I like having a little project. And now that the restaurant is finished, maybe something new is coming. That keeps a person alive.” (Yes)