Pierre Rieu (5)

WWW.ANDRERIEUMOVIES.COM

Pierre Rieu (5) 2026

We translated and posted below a few articles from the local press, in which you can read more about the objections that the Maastricht city council's aesthetic committee has against the "excessive" Christmas lights at Hotel Derlon. A story about how regulations in the Netherlands can kill off great initiatives. Come on, city council!! It was beyond beautiful!! Ruud, Ineke, and Heather (our guest from New Zealand) were there during daytime in December 2025 and we already thought it was beautiful then. But the photos that Maastricht resident Jan Reijntjes posted on Facebook during his evening walk through the city center, were simply magical. Thank you Jan Reijntjes!

January 24, 2026 article from Chapeau Magazine Blog by Jo Cortenraedt Translation: Diana/Ineke Official Maastricht never quite gets used to family Rieu The celebration 50 years of Maastricht University in St. Servaas Basilica was grand and compelling. André Rieu was invited to listen to the meeting musically, and then you know that the entire church is transformed into a beautifully lit concert hall, in which all musical registers are opened. The small choir of the basilica was almost too small to get the entire Johann Strauss Orchestra and the Mestreechter Star on it. The musicians and singers have never been so close to each other before, but for the album that turned out very well. André Rieu was very keen to be able to eavesdrop on this special celebration, because it is also a bit of his church, with which he sang the necessary Sundays as a young choir singer. He once told me that that's where the inspiration started to make music in a theatrical form for a large audience. And behold, decades later he stood there again, with his dream that he has been fulfilling for a long time. He beamed visibly, as well as as University Maastricht Board Chairman Rianne Letschert, Rector Magnificus Pamela Habibovic, Mayor Wim Hillenaar, Governor Emile Roemer, and not to mention King Willem-Alexander. That is unique that a Dies Natalis celebration is so magnificently unpacked. You won't be seeing at another university in the country. And good thing the city is grateful for the umpteenth time using the love that Rieu feels for his birthplace. And yes, that includes a number of often practical wishes of him, also at his Vrijthof concerts. That requires some flexibility from a city council and I remember that the civil service did not get cheerful when Mayor Gerd Leers announced at the time (2004) that he wanted to make ‘open air-concerts’ of Rieu at the Vrijthof possible. The well-known ‘yes, but’ sounded from many rooms at the city office, because their first concern was whether that combined with the infinite set of rules that apply and are often conceived by local and national politicians. There was still a lot of water going through the Meuse before Leers managed to get every official involved out of his hard-learning position. André Rieu may, however, put Maastricht on the map worldwide and thus give a marketing value that is the multiple of the entire budget of the Maastricht Marketing institution, it does not mean that he can do everything as an uncrowned king of the city. He understands that himself, knowing that there are still the necessary public servants who look with the thick suit of regulations under the arm for opportunities to give him a yellow or even red card every now and then. So of “he must not mean anything.” And behold, they smell an opportunity now that son Pierre Rieu dared to provide his newly acquired hotel Derlon with a spectacular Christmas decoration in the form of a red bow with thousands of lights. For many a wow feeling, but not for a number of civil servants and their friends. While, for example, the most chic fashion houses in Paris in the festive month also with that kind of exuberant decorations on their facades, some Sjengen thought it a bit excessive. Because: ‘Mestreech must please Mestreech’. International but also village, a difficult combination. Pierre Rieu was held accountable at the town hall where nine servants, including the infamous welfare commission, waited for him and washed the ears. Because this really couldn't be. Tastes differ but it remains difficult for some officials and advisors to think big. And apparently, they find their own taste the benchmark. Apparently, Pierre Rieu was surprised that no fewer than nine people had time to wait for him. But this is just an example of a problem that has been going on at many government levels for years. The enormous apparatus of civil servants and advisers that, with an infinite stack of often barely understandable rules and regulations, makes many initiatives in advance chance. Huge costs to staff that are made to especially NOT deliver. That costs a country – and therefore the tax-paying citizen – a lot of money that does not go towards strengthening the economy and solving real problems.

Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, and All-Around Journalist Jo Cortenraedt is an all-around journalist with decades of experience in the Netherlands and abroad. He has worked for ANP, NOS News, and De Telegraaf, among others. He joined Chapeau Magazine in 1997 as editor-in-chief and publisher, and that same year was involved in the launch of regional television in Limburg.

A festive concert for the king, but no royal hotel tie…..

December 1, 2025, De Nieuwe Ster, From the editors. Translation: Ineke/Diana Rieu gives Maastricht Magical Derlon The new owner, Pierre Rieu, of the Derlon hotel on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is honoring Magical Maastricht with a fantastically illuminated hotel. The lights were turned on for the first time on Sunday evening, after having been briefly visible on Friday evening during testing. With the lights, Rieu also seems to be paying tribute to Benny Neyman, who sang about the most beautiful gift. (Maastricht dialect) Diech bis mie sjoenste kedooke Wat e surprieske bis diech Neet bijj de zegelkes gratis Wel mét e strikske veur miech (translated) You are my most beautiful gift. What a surprise you are. Didn't get it for free with the stamps. But it came with a pretty bow, for me. Pierre turned on the lights when his father, André Rieu, returned to town. It brought happy faces to the square, to the audience watching the countdown, and to the maestro himself. Pierre Rieu will renovate the hotel in 2026. The rooms will be renovated, and the restaurant and lobby will also be redecorated.

January 19, 2026 De Nieuwe Ster, by Peter Eberson English translation: Ineke/Diana The City Council intervenes in Hotel Derlon's Christmas decorations Hotel owner Pierre Rieu donated a beautifully decorated Hotel Derlon to Maastricht in December. Hundreds of photos taken by tourists appeared on social media, but the City Council's Committee is not happy with the free promotion of the city. Pierre Rieu confirms that he received a notice from the City Council's Committee that the temporary Christmas decorations are not in line with municipal policy. The likelihood of Hotel Derlon being lavishly decorated for Christmas this year is much smaller now that the Committee has intervened. According to the Committee, the atmospheric lighting is not in line with policy. The lighting is said to be too opulent, the facade is covered too much by the lights, and the color red is not permitted. Only white, warm white, and warm blue are permitted. Free promotion The CDA (political party) in Maastricht is baffled by this and has raised political questions. The party questions why Derlon's Christmas decorations weren't permitted because they were allegedly too lavish. "The hotel's new owner's initiative proved a great success. It was widely discussed in the city. This visibility resulted in valuable, free promotion for the city of Maastricht—promotion that, if the municipality had had to purchase it itself, would have required a substantial budget. But more importantly, many people—including many residents of our own city—enjoyed these decorations during the Christmas season." Why shouldn't Christmas lights be "excessive"? the party asks. "After all, the Christmas season is all about warmth, sparkle, and light. Moreover, the Christmas market in Maastricht is richly adorned with color and lights. This is a temporary situation that lasts only a few weeks each year. Can the municipal executive explain why a restriction applies here?" Furthermore, the CDA asks: 1. How is the term "excessive" defined by the building regulations committee and in the policy? Does the municipal executive share our concern that such a subjective criterion actually encourages incident-based policies? 2. Can the municipal executive indicate which specific points in the building regulations memorandum the committee considers the Christmas lights at Hotel Derlon to be inappropriate? We would appreciate receiving the correct wording of the rejection. 3. In our opinion, the Christmas lights at Hotel Derlon do not obscure the building's architecture. The distinctive window frames, the upper facade, and even the white stone remain visible through the lights. Can the municipal executive indicate their assessment of this and why the aesthetic committee considers it concealment? 4. Why has the policy chosen to limit the permitted colors for Christmas lights to white, warm white, and warm blue? Why is red—a color strongly associated with Christmas—not permitted? 5. Does the municipal executive believe the Christmas lights at Hotel Derlon have been an asset to the city, and specifically Onze Lieve Vrouweplein (Our Lady's Square), during the Christmas season? We would like to hear the municipal executive's assessment of this, especially given the many positive reactions from residents and visitors. 6. Is there scope within the current policy to find a solution so that such temporary and festive decorations are permitted without conflicting with the aesthetic regulations? The CDA understands that clear guidelines are needed to prevent the city from turning into a carnival during the Christmas season. At the same time, we believe there should be room for entrepreneurs to express themselves. This, of course, must be within clear boundaries: the decorations must not be offensive (for example, insulting or sexist) and must not use neon lights. What is the council's view of this approach, which, on the one hand, sets clear boundaries but, on the other, leaves room for creative and non-offensive self-expression of entrepreneurs within a limited section of the facade?

January 21, 2026 De Nieuwe Ster, by Peter Eberson Photos: screenshots “Wat is loos” (What is going on?) Translation: Ineke/Diana Pierre Rieu Draws His Own Plan Pierre Rieu, owner of the Derlon Hotel on Onze Lieve Vrouwe Plein, can't understand it. The city's aesthetic committee deemed his Christmas decorations illegal. "Do you know how many complaints the municipality received? Zero!" It was perhaps the most photographed spot in Maastricht during the Christmas season. Hundreds of visitors to the city took a photo in front of the hotel or a selfie with it illuminated in the background. Pierre Rieu went all out with his new hotel, but this didn't sit well with the Maastricht aesthetic committee and Maastricht City Center Management. Flashing They didn't like the Christmas lights and, moreover, didn't comply with the policy. This policy stipulates, among other things, that lights may not cover the entire facade, may not flash, and the color red is absolutely forbidden. The very thing visitors to the city found so appealing about the wrapped-up Hotel Derlon was unacceptable. Not that Rieu was even remotely correct. "I should have applied for a permit. Okay, I didn't know that. I'm a new hotel owner. I was also told that the Christmas lights have to be uniform. Well, then next Christmas I'll ask all the businesses on the square if they want to install the same lights as at my hotel. Then it'll be uniform." It's remarkable that Rieu commissioned the company "Avontuur" to decorate his hotel. This is also the company responsible for the Christmas decorations in the city center on behalf of Centrummanagement. Rieu: "They installed the lights for me in line with the other Christmas decorations and also looked at the Vrijthof square and Magical Maastricht, where the color red is also featured. Strange that it's not allowed for me." The business owner, however, says he's making his own plans. "I also decorated and lit the hotel for Carnival. We'll see what they think."

What is going on in Maastricht?

January 22, 2026: Jeffrey R. de Vries interviewed Pierre in front of Hotel Derlon. Diana D. Le summarized the video in the following. Aesthetics Committee Intervenes in Christmas Decorations at Hotel Derlon: Pierre Rieu Doesn't Understand It The festive Christmas decorations at Hotel Derlon in Maastricht have led to intervention by the aesthetics committee. The hotel's owner, Pierre Rieu, confirms that he has received an official notice and has been invited to a meeting with no fewer than nine members of the committee. In December 2025, Rieu decorated his hotel with elaborate Christmas lights, which attracted a lot of attention on social media. Hundreds of photos, taken by both residents and tourists, appeared online. However, the aesthetic committee believes that the decorations do not comply with current policy. Pierre Rieu believes that it is important to have an aesthetic committee to have unity in the design for the community but he does not agree with them. Not a single complaint came in from the people in Maastricht but also none outside of Maastricht, even at the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten, about the Christmas decorations. Pierre Rieu admitted that as a new hotel owner, he did not know that he needed to apply for a permit, and to inform himself about what is allowed and what is not allowed. He hired “Avontuur - Blachère Illumination” because they are experienced, know what is allowed, and had designed the Magisch Maastricht Vrijthof. From a number of design variations, Pierre chose the one with the red ribbon and bow. The result was beautiful and exactly as designed. However, according to the aesthetic committee, the mood lighting is excessive, covers too much of the facade, and the shimmering lights in the ribbon and the use of the color red are not allowed. Only white, warm white, and warm blue are permitted according to the guidelines. The excessiveness of the design is a subjective concept. To Pierre, it is fine that the aesthetic committee has something to say about it, but what really bothers Pierre Rieu is that, in the Netherlands, they have the time to spend nine months of public money on meetings about Christmas lights, and not just once, but several times, regardless of everything that's going on in the world. The aesthetic committee asked Pierre to submit a number of alternatives that they could support, but he is not going to do that yet. He is going to do his best to come to an agreement. He does not want to fight and prefers to talk to them, but he still has some plans.