Stadsbeiaardier brengt ode aan 100 jaar Marilyn Monroe boven Haarlem | Haarlem105

The sounds of I Wanna Be Loved By You echoed across Haarlem on Monday afternoon. In honor of Marilyn Monroe's hundredth birthday, the city carillonneur played the famous song from the Grote or St. Bavokerk, while lookalike and impersonator Debra Monroe accompanied the tribute. Together with the organizers, she climbed the tower to experience the performance up close. That proved to be quite a challenge. "A challenge, you need to be in shape," says Debra Monroe. "We spent quite a while on the climb. But yes, it was truly an experience to witness this. I have really never done this before." Since last week, tributes to Monroe have been appearing in various places in Haarlem. Artworks that are part of the nine-day MM100 festival can be seen particularly in the shop windows on Spaarnwouderstraat. Lump in the throat For creator Hans Goes, the festival has become more than he ever expected. "Marilyn Monroe was born a hundred years ago, and a hundred years later, we are still running the festival with a lump in our throats," he says. The idea originated as a small-scale art project, but has since grown into a city-wide event. Even decades after her passing, Monroe continues to inspire people. According to Goes, new stories and photos of her are still being discovered. More than an icon Co-organizer Lisa Cobelens hopes that visitors will also get to know another side of Monroe during the festival. "Marilyn Monroe is often seen as a blonde sex bomb, but she was actually a very interesting, inspiring woman," she says. "Even though she only lived to be 36, she meant a great deal to women and the less fortunate." After the performance, a special moment followed for Debra Monroe. While standing atop the tower, she felt as though Monroe's spirit was close by for a moment. "Her strength, her warmth, her perseverance—that has inspired me so much, also in my daily life, that she is truly in my heart." When a gust of wind lifted her dress at the end of the performance, she immediately thought of the famous statue of Monroe. "It almost felt like a sign." Downstairs, she was met by visitors eager to have their picture taken with her. "That really gave me incredible goosebumps." The program for the coming days includes film screenings at the Filmkoepel, theater and dance performances, lectures, and an art route.