About 120 famous motorists from all over the world gather in Utrecht at the end of August. The World Carillon Congress will then be held in the city for the first time. They also hold concerts.
The Carillon Tower Dome is one of the finest bells in the world. “You can compare it to a Stradivarius violin,” said Malgosia Vibig, a violinist in the city and one of the organizers of the conference. Two other towers in the city center are also participating. “I can't wait to show all my colleagues how beautiful Utrecht is.”
The car drivers come from Australia, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Canada and various European countries. Utrecht is an active carriage city. “I'm proud of Utrecht. We sit high in the tower, we never see the audience, we never hear applause, but we receive many signals that our concerts are appreciated,” says Vibig.
Recovery
The main focus during this conference is the Dome Tower, whose keyboard has recently been restored and a number of clappers refurbished. The 50 bells are still in good condition. “The sound has really improved thanks to the restoration of the bell,” says Fiebig.
The conference is held every three years and deliberately coincides with the Early Music Festival. The motorists give several concerts every day. The last time they met in the Netherlands was fifteen years ago in Groningen. During the conference, the cathedral will remain partially covered by scaffolding. All work started in 2019 should be completed by next summer.
