Tributes: the August 2021 ceremony

The farewell ceremony, some thirty minutes long, unfolded alongside a photo slideshow and several Georges Brassens songs. The "Letter to Dad" was read by his son Camille De Rijck. His friend Marc Grauwels paid tribute to him through his music.

The poet Dirk Christiaens wrote "Embryo" (voor Mon De Rijck) for him, published in his collection with Uitgeverij P in 2007: "een spons van vlees / een vreemde filter / tussen lichaam / verder lichaam // ademen stuwen / van zeewater / naar vlinder / lichte longen".

His friend Annita Zurstrassen wrote, in French and Dutch, the text read at the ceremony: "Mon left this morning. He was wearing his old jumper. His cap. Before going through the lock he went to check that everything was in order… On the bank, young and old were there, waving their handkerchiefs. They called out: bye Mon. Bye. Safe journey." The text was to be read by Cédric d'Alcantara, Annita's son, or by Camille De Rijck.

In the letter, his children also recall that in every one of his ventures he was supported by the women of his life - Charline, Manette, Françoise, Caroline, Maria - and that, adventurer and traveller though he was (Mexico, Singapore, New York…), he kept "a firmly moored anchor" with his children.

Sources: Déroulé de la cérémonie et textes d'hommage, août 2021 - archives familiales