On October 6 2023, the Grote Kerk in Alkmaar will feature the tallest stained-glass window in Europe, standing at 23 meters high and 6 meters wide. Visual artist and filmmaker Fiona Tan designed the Great Window to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Alkmaar’s Relief. Alkmaar was the first Dutch city to liberate itself from the Spanish occupying army during the Eighty Years’ War. The phrase “Van Alkmaar de Victorie” became well-known among Dutch people to commemorate this historical event.
Fiona Tan’s stained-glass artwork is based on the principle of a kaleidoscope, creating sparkling color effects that change from minute to minute. The artwork symbolizes unity in diversity and celebrates freedom with a celebration of color and light: “The light of freedom.”
To accompany this artwork, Calliope Tsoupaki composed a piece of music titled Ver Aeternum (eternal spring), which will have its world premiere at the unveiling of The Great Window. The Van Hagerbeer/Schnitger organ, located in Alkmaar’s Grote Kerk, will play a starring role in Tsoupaki’s composition, along with the cello, viola, and flute.
The explicit intention is to perform Calliope Tsoupaki’s Ver Aeternum in the Grote Kerk every year on October 8th, during the celebration of Alkmaar’s Relief. The artwork and composition will be on display for centuries to come, reminding the world of the importance of this historical feat.
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