Since his death André Hazes has become an increasingly prominent phenomenon within the contemporary popular culture of the Netherlands. In retrospect, the illustrious farewell concert André Dank, on 27 September 2004 in the Amsterdam ArenA, appears to have only kicked off a long succession of cultural productions associated with Hazes: biographies, a statue, commemorative concerts, television programs, a musical and soon a feature film. . The figure André Hazes apparently speaks far and wide to the imagination. But what makes Hazes so appealing? This booklet tries to answer that question. It is not so much about 'the man Hazes' or his life, but about what is referred to here as 'the phenomenon Hazes'. The Hazes phenomenon reveals a number of broader phenomena from contemporary Dutch society, of which the BN'er culture, sing-along culture and culture of remembrance are the most determining factors. In addition, Hazes provides an excellent illustration of the importance nowadays attached to "authenticity" or "authenticity," and its central role in emotion. |