BREL, JACQUES

Brel, Jacques: translation

(1929-1978)

   Jacques Brel was born into a French-speaking family in Schaerbeek at avenue du Diamant 138 on 8 April 1929. A singer, song writer, actor, director, and poet, Brel rose to fame in the 1950s in Paris. He was a passionate singer whose songs paint powerful images drawn from everyday life. His evocations of Belgium were tender, if not always complimentary. He died at Ro-bigny, near Paris, on 9 October 1978. The Fondation Brel (Brel Foundation) celebrates his life in hosting thematic exhibits of his works. A station on the metro is named for him.

   See also Theaters.