Walter De Buck (13 July 1934 – 21 December 2014) was a Belgian singer, sculptor and the founder of the modern Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival).[1]
Walter De Buck | |
|---|---|
 Walter De Buck in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter De Buck |
| Born | 13 July 1934 Ghent, Belgium |
| Died | 21 December 2014 (aged 80) Ghent, Belgium |
| Genres | Folk music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, sculptor |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1958–2014 |
De Buck was born in Ghent in 1934.[1] He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent, where he graduated in 1954 magna cum laude.[1] De Buck made his debut as a sculptor at the 1958 World’s Fair and was awarded several prizes for his sculptures.[1] In 1962 he founded the non-profit organisation Trefpunt, with which he restarted the Gentse Feesten in 1969.[2]
As a musician, De Buck made a name as a singer and writer of folk music with the song 't Vliegerke, released in 1971.[3] In 1986 De Buck retired from Trefpunt to focus on his sculpture work.[1] De Buck felt he would only stop being creative when he died.[4]
De Buck died on 21 December 2014 in Ghent from the effects of esophageal cancer, having previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.[4]
De Buck was posthumously honored in 2017 by the city of Ghent, which renamed part of Bij Sint-Jacobs square as Walter De Buckplein in his honor.[5] This was the location where the Gentse Feesten had been restarted in 1969.[5]
References
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- ^ a b c d e "Walter De Buck verliest strijd tegen kanker". De Standaard (in Flemish). 21 December 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ Renson, Ine (23 February 2016). "Zanger-beeldhouwer Walter De Buck overleden". De Tijd (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ Huyghebaert, Pieterjan (21 December 2014). "'t Vliegerke vliegt niet meer". VRT (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ a b Huyghebaert, Pieterjan (21 December 2014). "Zanger-kunstenaar Walter De Buck (80) overleden". VRT (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Walter De Buck krijgt eigen plein in Gent". Het Laatste Nieuws. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2021.