Wilrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis was honoured at the Dutch Consul General’s residence in Wilrijk today, Dec 3, 2025, with a glass sculpture, marking 30 years since his Belgian breakthrough with “Het Is Een Nacht”.
As VRT News reported, Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis was received this afternoon, Dec 3, 2025, at the residence of the Dutch Consul General in Wilrijk, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, where he was recognised for his long-running impact on the Belgian music scene.
The visit marked 30 years since his breakthrough in Flanders with “Het Is Een Nacht (it’s a Night)”, a song that became widely known across the region.
“The song was even written in Flanders,”
says the singer.
“I was studying in Leuven at the time and had spent a night in Bruges with my then-girlfriend. I wrote down my feelings in a song.”
At the residence in Wilrijk, the Consul General presented Meeuwis with a memento to honour his career and long-standing ties with Belgium.
“My shows in Antwerp are getting closer, I almost feel like a resident of the AFAS Dome and therefore also of Antwerp.”
Dutch singer Gus Meeuwis
What makes Guus Meeuwis’ 30-year Belgian career worth honouring?
Guus Meeuwis will give 2 concerts in Antwerp on December 12, 2025, and Dec 13, 2025, drawing strong interest from fans in both Belgium and the Netherlands.
“I’m starting to feel it in my body that I’ll be playing the AFAS Dome soon,”
he says.
“Last week I was there with Jelle Cleymans for the Studio 100 Singalong, and the week before that I was with Maksim at the Lotto Arena. That’s when the idea really started to take hold.”
“Now my own shows are getting closer, rehearsals are finished. I almost feel like a resident of the AFAS Dome, and therefore also of Antwerp.”
The singer says he did not expect the special recognition he received earlier in the day and called the moment surprising. He explained that Belgium has been an important part of his career and that the tribute came as he prepares for his upcoming shows.
“It’s already been a really great year for me when it comes to music in Flanders, especially with Love for Music. So it’s nice to receive that recognition,”
says Meeuwis.
Dutch Consul General Karen van Stegeren explained why Meeuwis was honoured during the ceremony in Wilrijk. She said the singer earned the recognition through 30 years of work, regular performances in Belgium and a long record of connecting audiences in both countries.
“It’s been exactly 30 years since Gus made his breakthrough in Belgium. He’s also giving two concerts at the AFAS Dome soon, so this is the perfect time to honour him. He’s such a good representative of the Netherlands in Belgium, so I think it’s wonderful to honour him,”
concludes van Stegeren.
Guus Meeuwis 1st reached a wide audience in 1994 with his hit “Het Is Een Nacht (It’s a Night)”, a song he recorded while still studying. The success continued in 1996 with “Per Spoor (Per Spoor)”, which strengthened his name in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
From 2006 onward, he built a strong concert tradition with his series “Groots met een Zachte G”, drawing large crowds each year. His ties with Belgium grew through regular performances and media appearances, including his participation in VTM’s “Liefde voor Muziek” in early 2024. That same year, he released a song with Belgian artist Maksim Stojanac.
