A Love for Street Music and News
Music and news as a route out of poverty
A string orchestra at La Défense, France - a photo I took on a commute
I remember buying my first issue of The Big Issue. In London. I took the guy’s last paper, and hope I helped him. I had heard about it, and we had a local version by that time in The Hague, which I tried to buy regularly. I liked the idea of not just giving something to beggars, but to buy something from them, giving them a bit of self-esteem in the process. At least, that’s what the premise was at the time. Even though I haven’t done hard research on the matter, I have seen so many street paper vendors who are hard-working, cheerful people. They often become a fixture in the neighbourhood they are working in. Like the guy who was selling the Fifty-Fifty in front of our local Kaiser’s when we lived in Germany. Or the Straatkrant vendors in The Hague who became almost like local celebrities. Now, in times of Corona, the vendor at one of the nearby supermarkets was working hard cleaning shopping carts for the next use.
It’s not just those in the news sector that could use a little help. Also the cultural sector. That, too, starts on the street. Yes, you know them, the musicians brightening your shopping trip or commute. When I lived in Paris, I had to change at La Défense for my commute. On occasion, there was this string orchestra standing there. One of my favorite compositions they played, is the Canon in D Major by Pachelbel. The days they were there, were the days I was most productive in the office. Such a gift. I never just walked by. Always stopped for a second and left a Euro. Or 2. Here’s an example of that composition, performed by a different orchestra.
Small Act of Kindness Challenge
Apparently, in The Netherlands, the street papers are under pressure. And with that, some of the people in our communities that need help most. Even with just a little bit, you can help. Buy that paper. Or, if you don’t want to, ask the vendor if they need something. Same for street musicians. Listen and give them a coin or two. Maybe you can buy even them some apples, or tomatoes, or bread. It won’t cost you much and will help someone else. So, that’s the Small Act of Kindness challenge this time: help out a street paper vendor or a street musician. Or, as the lines in one of my favorite songs of all times say:
Two dollars means a snack for me
But it means a big deal to you