You were ne clean man, Louis: Antwerp says goodbye to most famous wanderer

Antwerpen In antwerp is this morning, said goodbye to Louis Michielsen (55), the most famous beggar of the country. Louis became famous as the man of the 'Astridplein' that the daughters of a junkiekoppel u.s. and with his last pennies on an ice cream treated.

The funeral took place in the Heilig Hartkerk in the Lange Beeldekensstraat, a stone's throw of the spot where Louis 15 years of his life has worn: the 'Astridplein'. Usually get the homeless a sober funeral, which only a handful of people show up. Different it was this morning: the Heilig Hartkerk was absolutely packed. Befriended musicians wore during the service of songs on to Louis. Friends, acquaintances, and neighbors stepped forward for a private word.

“Antwerp is ne fine man, lost”, said Niek Everts van ‘t Smooth-Straatpastoraat, that the service in good jobs led. “Louis was always friendly, spoke no evil and was always looking for the positive in life. With his mischievous, sparkling blue eyes had Louis something of a child. With children he had by the way loving openness in common. Just as the simple faith ‘that it is good as it is’.”

In his time on the Astridplein made Louis there is a point of honor to the passers-by greetings. Let us learn from him to put on a warmer way to deal with each other

Niek Everts

Plea for warmer society

Niek Everts held during the funeral of a plea for a warmer, caring society. “This year alone, there in Antwerp, in addition to Louis, still 7 people died who were homeless were or have ever been to. With its 55 years, Louis is the oldest become. Let us urgently work for a zorgzamere society, where every little bird shall sing as he bent. In his time at the Astridplein made Louis there is a point of honor to the passers-by greetings. Let us learn from him to put on a warmer way to deal with each other.”