Jump to content

Hugo Claus died yesterday


thaibel
 Share

Recommended Posts

For most of us, who like to read books, he's for sure the most famous writer in Belgium. It was really a shock when we heard about it yesterday in the afternoon.

123sf2c.jpg

From The Herald Tribune

Author Hugo Claus, writer of 'The Sorrow of Belgium,' dead at 78

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Writer Hugo Claus ? an artist, poet, playwright and novelist whose books painted a scathing picture of repression and hypocrisy in bourgeois Flanders ? died Wednesday by euthanasia, his wife said. He was 78.

Claus, who had Alzheimer's disease, died at Middelheim Hospital in Antwerp. "He himself picked the moment of his death and asked for euthanasia," not wanting to extend his suffering, his wife, Veerle De Wit, said in a statement.

De Wit did not say how the euthanasia, which is legal in Belgium, was carried out.

Claus produced some 200 works during his career but was best known for his classic, "The Sorrow of Belgium" ? a scathing attack on social injustice, stifling family relationships and Roman Catholic repression in his native Flanders in northern Belgium.

The partly autobiographical work defined his career and shot him to prominence on the international scene.

Often writing out of anger and guilt, Claus relied on pitiless realism in his work.

"I am a person who is unhappy with things as they stand. We cannot accept the world as it is. Each day we should wake up foaming at the mouth because of the injustice of things," he said in a magazine interview more than a decade ago.

Claus also directed several movies and, as a painter, belonged to the Cobra group, centering on spontaneous, intuitive painting.

He was married several times, including to actress Sylvia Kristel, star of the 1970s erotic movie series "Emmanuelle."

Throughout his life, Claus was a reluctant Belgian despite the increasing adulation at home as one of the prime men of letters in the Dutch language. But he said being from Belgium ? the laughingstock of the French and Dutch alike ? was a great advantage to his writing since he never was restrained by any sense of grandeur.

Because of his ambivalent relationship with his native country, Claus often threatened to leave Belgium and lived in the Netherlands, France and the Greek islands before returning home.

By the time of his death, the whole nation embraced the master, and felt sorry about how the disease had hollowed his character.

"Almost no longer able to knead his words into clear phrases, create the right expressions and metaphors ? it was something which cost him no effort for over 60 years. It was, I think, inevitable and unbearable torture," said Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.

"In each and every text and poem, he was an emotional beacon in our dark world. But I can live with the fact that he decided thus. Because he left us as a great glowing star, right on time. Just before he would have collapsed into a black hole," Verhofstadt said.

His death coincided with festivities accompanying the 25th anniversary of the publication of "The Sorrow of Belgium."

Born in the medieval city of Bruges in 1929, some of his youth can be traced back in "The Sorrow of Belgium."

Like the main character, Louis Seynaeve, Claus spent much of his childhood in oppressive Catholic boarding schools, where he rebelled against overbearing authority.

Claus did not get along with family members and repressed hatred for father figures became a recurring theme in his work. After World War II, he quickly left home and was forced to do menial work before making money from his budding literary talent.

At 18, he produced his first work, a collection of poems called "Short Series." The verses were rife with rebellion against the bourgeoisie and the constraints of Flemish society.

His fame grew quickly, especially after he wrote "The Wonderment" and "About Deedee" in the 1960s, touching on the themes of repressed homosexuality and family relations. Incest was at the heart of his 1970 play "Friday."

As a playwright, he first won recognition with the 1962 play "Sugar," a naturalist rendition of social conditions in a French sugar factory. Claus himself had worked at a sugar factory just after the war.

"As a boy working in a sugar factory, I found it so senseless that I left and decided never to work for anyone again," he said.

His survivors and funeral plans were not immediately available.

He decided to chose his own end by euthanasia. I think it's okay when you still have clear moments, but you get more and more moments that you're completely out of everything and you know that you going to live still for years as a plant. What do you think about that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Claus

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

How is it that a man gets to choose everything in his whole life, because it IS his life alone, then cannot get to choose to end it when he wishes?

Who are you to call this cowardise?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

How is it that a man gets to choose everything in his whole life, because it IS his life alone, then cannot get to choose to end it when he wishes?

Who are you to call this cowardise?

this is my opinion in this matter and i have the right to expres it. thai bel asked about people's opinion so i just used my right to speak free. i thought this was the ideea of the topic. just my 2 baht.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

How is it that a man gets to choose everything in his whole life, because it IS his life alone, then cannot get to choose to end it when he wishes?

Who are you to call this cowardise?

this is my opinion in this matter and i have the right to expres it. thai bel asked about people's opinion so i just used my right to speak free. i thought this was the ideea of the topic. just my 2 baht.

I exercise my freedom to disagree with your judgement.

just my 2 baht.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

How is it that a man gets to choose everything in his whole life, because it IS his life alone, then cannot get to choose to end it when he wishes?

Who are you to call this cowardise?

this is my opinion in this matter and i have the right to expres it. thai bel asked about people's opinion so i just used my right to speak free. i thought this was the ideea of the topic. just my 2 baht.

I exercise my freedom to disagree with your judgement.

just my 2 baht.

and i agree to you.

ps. want some of my medication? :wink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

He invited all his friends and family before leaving this world. He wanted to be able to say goodbye to all his beloved ones when he was still concious. I think you have to have courage to do that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no disrespect for the dead guys but the way he decided to go is a coward thing to do. i have a grand mother that is been struggling for 2 years now and i can say she's one of the strongest people i know. she has very rare concious days but she is a delight to talk with in those moments. i admire her strength to live one more day and one more... if the others don't understand you it doesnt mean you became a plant. maybe they havent touched that level of evolution when you just detach yourself from this pishy world.

He invited all his friends and family before leaving this world. He wanted to be able to say goodbye to all his believed when he was concious. I think you have to have courage to do that.

i wouldn't do like he did. i didn't do any disrespect. we are here to talk and share. even if we share madness. we are not just 5 o clock news with the latest tragedies to present and drop tears. i hope everything is more than clear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is euthanasia legal in Belgium ???

"Belgium Euthanasia Law in Effect

September 2002

Starting on Monday, Belgian law allows doctors to help kill patients who, during a terminal illness, express a wish to hasten their own death. Having passed the law in May, Belgium is now the third jurisdiction after the Netherlands (April 1, 2002) and the state of Oregon (1997) to legalize euthanasia.

Senator Philippe Mahoux, a Socialist, helped draft the law, which he views as "recognition" that a dying patient in "constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain" should be "the only judge of their quality of life and the dignity of their last moments," ignoring the fact that palliative care has advanced to the point where such illness need no longer be accompanied by physical suffering.

Belgium's bishops tried to explain why the Catholic Church opposes the law, saying: "It is based on the idea that the value and dignity of a human being is no longer linked to the fact of his existence, but rather to his so-called 'quality of life'." In the future, patients who are very ill are certain to face pressure (from relatives and hospital staff) to view themselves as a burden that should be eliminated. Conservative opposition parties voted against the bill last May, with the Flemish Christian Democrats vowing to challenge the law in the European Court of Human Rights."

____________________________________________________________

Tuesday February 7, 2006

Euthanasia Rates Double in Belgium

By Gudrun Schultz

FLANDERS, Belgium, February 7, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) ? Four hundred people were reported killed by euthanasia in Belgium in 2005, double the rate of four years ago.

Belgium legalized euthanasia in 2002, following the Netherlands to become the second European country to do so. In the first year two hundred people were killed. Since then rates have steadily risen. Last year deaths reportedly reached 360.

Figures published today indicate one third of ?assisted suicides? involve a surgical procedure, reported the Evening Echo News.

In some cases, medical treatment is stopped, or not started at all, said Wim Distelmans, chairman of Belgium?s euthanasia evaluation committee.

80% of all reported cases of euthanasia take place in the northern Flanders region, where there is a network of doctors involved in the practice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is euthanasia legal in Belgium ???
Tuesday February 7, 2006

Euthanasia Rates Double in Belgium

By Gudrun Schultz

FLANDERS, Belgium, February 7, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) ? Four hundred people were reported killed by euthanasia in Belgium in 2005, double the rate of four years ago.

Belgium legalized euthanasia in 2002, following the Netherlands to become the second European country to do so. In the first year two hundred people were killed. Since then rates have steadily risen. Last year deaths reportedly reached 360.

Figures published today indicate one third of ?assisted suicides? involve a surgical procedure, reported the Evening Echo News.

In some cases, medical treatment is stopped, or not started at all, said Wim Distelmans, chairman of Belgium?s euthanasia evaluation committee.

80% of all reported cases of euthanasia take place in the northern Flanders region, where there is a network of doctors involved in the practice.

Thanks for that

Surprised no one has come up with " Euthanasia Holidays "

They could market Belgium as a place to spend your last few days before dying

Maybe even have package tours including a return ticket . Yes a return ticket , so the body can be returned to the person's home land

:idea:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is euthanasia legal in Belgium ???

"Belgium Euthanasia Law in Effect

September 2002

Starting on Monday, Belgian law allows doctors to help kill patients who, during a terminal illness, express a wish to hasten their own death. Having passed the law in May, Belgium is now the third jurisdiction after the Netherlands (April 1, 2002) and the state of Oregon (1997) to legalize euthanasia.

Senator Philippe Mahoux, a Socialist, helped draft the law, which he views as "recognition" that a dying patient in "constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain" should be "the only judge of their quality of life and the dignity of their last moments," ignoring the fact that palliative care has advanced to the point where such illness need no longer be accompanied by physical suffering.

Belgium's bishops tried to explain why the Catholic Church opposes the law, saying: "It is based on the idea that the value and dignity of a human being is no longer linked to the fact of his existence, but rather to his so-called 'quality of life'." In the future, patients who are very ill are certain to face pressure (from relatives and hospital staff) to view themselves as a burden that should be eliminated. Conservative opposition parties voted against the bill last May, with the Flemish Christian Democrats vowing to challenge the law in the European Court of Human Rights."

____________________________________________________________

Tuesday February 7, 2006

Euthanasia Rates Double in Belgium

By Gudrun Schultz

FLANDERS, Belgium, February 7, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) ? Four hundred people were reported killed by euthanasia in Belgium in 2005, double the rate of four years ago.

Belgium legalized euthanasia in 2002, following the Netherlands to become the second European country to do so. In the first year two hundred people were killed. Since then rates have steadily risen. Last year deaths reportedly reached 360.

Figures published today indicate one third of ?assisted suicides? involve a surgical procedure, reported the Evening Echo News.

In some cases, medical treatment is stopped, or not started at all, said Wim Distelmans, chairman of Belgium?s euthanasia evaluation committee.

80% of all reported cases of euthanasia take place in the northern Flanders region, where there is a network of doctors involved in the practice.

Thanks for the explanation, Marc. Even I found that the word 'kill' and 'assisted suicides' the author used a little bit subjective (he could as well use 'helping them to die with dignity'). By the way there is a commission of doctors, specialists and psychiatrists who has to give their permission .

In France yesterday a woman with a terminal tumour in the her face and who had unbearable pain was denied to commit euthanasia by the judge. She was suffering years from this tumour and I think you should be able to end your live if you think it's worthless for you and all people around you.

By us is the medical commission takes the decision. Only when someone who's involved thinks they violated the law on euthanasia the court can open a case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a honour to the death of the greatest writer (but he was also poet, writer, painter and director of films) this translation from one of his poems. He had strong aversion against the catholic church. I was brought up as a catholic and in that time, although is secular state, the church had power and dominated all what had to do with one's live in Belgium.

HALLOWEEN

Stil als de dood van een dode die niemand kent

is het overal buiten je kamer

waar je danst in je eentje als tevoren.

Maar ook daar hoor ik wat je niet zegt

zoals ik het wil horen.

Ver van het verfomfaaid Europa

waarover het heiige dodelijke daalt binnenkort

staan wij naar elkaar te staren

bijna dood als plastic stoelen

en jij noch ik die de moord op mij of jou bekent.

HALLOWEEN

Still as the death of a dead man no one knows

it is everywhere but your room

where you?re dancing on your own as before.

There too though I hear

what you do not say

in the way I wish to hear it.

Far from tousled Europe over which

what is hazy deadly will soon descend

we stand next to each other staring

almost dead like plastic chairs

and neither you nor me confessing the murder of me or you.

by Hugo Claus

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...