Stany Van Wymeersch (Ghent, 20 September 1965), pseudonym of Stany Van Wijmeersch, is a Belgian and Flemish writer, journalist and lawyer. He is better known for his books on ABBA.[1]
Career edit
Van Wymeersch attended secondary school at the Royal Atheneum in his hometown and then studied law at the University of Ghent from 1983 to 1989. For most of his career, he was active in the communications and cultural sector.[2][3]
As a free-lance journalist, he contributed to (among others) Primo Magazine (BE), De Telegraaf (NL), De Morgen (BE), ABBA Intermezzo Magazine (D) and Official International ABBA Fan Club Magazine (NL).
Stany was also a consultant for the official ABBA exhibition Super Troupers at the O2, London (December 2019 - March 2020) and sat for Eurostory.nl on the jury for the Best Lyrics Award at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, 2021 and 2023. [4][5][6][7]
November 2020 saw the release of 'Bonnie and José - Herinnering (Memory)' on CD/DVD. The CD booklet includes a new interview with Bonnie & José by Stany Van Wymeersch.[8]
Book launches edit
His first book 'Let's Talk About ABBA' consisted of interviews with collaborators and musicians from ABBA's entourage, original quotes from the ABBA members and an interview with Björn Ulvaeus. ABBA's art director Rune Söderqvist was the artistic advisor of this book, which was published by Ballon Media (Dragonetti) and presented at the Antwerp Book Fair (BE) in November 2013. The book was released in an English version and translated to Dutch.
Stany's second book 'We All Love ABBA', on the theme of ABBA's influence on a wide variety of artists, was presented at the Harbour Club Amsterdam in May 2016, in the presence of Dutch girl group Luv' and several other artists from the book (Embracingfranki, Maarten Vande Wiele, Aad Spanjaard, Michiel Gunning).[9][10]
In October 2021, the books 'The Legacy of ABBA - Vol.1 and Vol.2' were released. 'The Legacy of ABBA Vol.1' contains a complete overview of the ABBA members' careers, as well as exclusive and extensive interviews with Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. 'The Legacy of ABBA Vol.2' focuses on important photographers who have worked with ABBA (including Anders Hanser and Bubi Heilemann), ABBA music in films and famous ABBA fans.[11][12]
The official book launch took place in Slottsholmen, Västervik (Sweden) - at the hotel of Björn Ulvaeus and his daughter Anna. Special guests were Tonny Roth (Hootenanny Singers), Anders Hanser (ABBA's official photographer), Hans Löfvenberg (ABBA tour management), Marga Scheide (Luv') and Michiel Gunning (Popfoto journalist/photo model).[13][14]
The books were also presented in Ghent (B) at AtelierGent74, in the presence of Marga Scheide, Michiel Gunning, Getty Kaspers (Teach-In), Philippe Elan and Maarten Vande Wiele.[15]
Both books reached first place on Amazon's bestseller lists in Australia, Sweden, UK, Poland and France. In Germany and Spain, the books reached the Top 5 and in Italy and the United States the Top 20.[16]
An Estonian version of the book 'Let's Talk About ABBA' was released in 2022. The book was expanded and adapted for audiences in Estonia, including a new interview with rising star Stefan Airapetjan, who represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin in 2022.[17][18]
In October 2023, the book 'We All Love ABBA - Expanded Edition' was released, with new contributions and photos (48 extra pages). The book was presented at an event in Ghent (BE) with Maggie MacNeal, Philippe Elan, Marga Scheide (Luv'), Govert de Roos, Dick Kooiman and Embracingfranki as special guests.[19]
Bibliography edit
- ’Lets Talk About ABBA’: English and Dutch version - Ballon Media (2013)
- ’We All Love ABBA’: English version - SVW Books (2016)
- ‘The Legacy of ABBA Volume 1 & 2’: English version - SVW Books (2021)
- ’ABBA. Austusavaldus ülimale popbändile’: Estonian version of Let’s Talk About ABBA - Pegasus, Estonia (2022)
- ’We All Love ABBA’ - Expanded Edition: English version - SVW Books (2023)
Externe links edit
{{|Referenties|}}
- ^ Marah, Micha (2022-03-20). "Hadiemicha". Ment TV.
- ^ Marah, Micha (2022-03-20). "Hadiemicha". Ment TV.
- ^ de Nooij, Tineke (2016-05-26). "NPO Radio 5".
- ^ Bookspot.be (2023-10-07). "We all love ABBA - Expanded Edition".
- ^ van de Vendel, Edward (2023-05-13). "Oostenrijk wint de Eurostory Best Lyrics Award 2023".
- ^ Van de Vendel, Edward (2019-05-18). "Italy wins Eurostory Best Lyrics Award 2019".
- ^ Soes, Jelmer (2021-05-22). "Italy wins Eurostory Best Lyric Award 2021".
- ^ "BONNIE & JOSÉ - HERINNERING LTD. CD+DVD". Specialcdshop.nl. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ^ de Swart, Madelon (2017-02-07). "NBD Biblion".
- ^ Rehmer, Martina (2017-11-01). "ABBA Deutsche Fan Website".
- ^ Marah, Micha (2022-03-22). "Hadiemicha". Ment TV.
- ^ Vandenhaute, Lieven (2021-10-07). "Twee nieuwe boeken over ABBA". Radio 1.
- ^ Ruiz, Ralph (2021-10-17). "Marga Scheide & Michiel Gunning @ the release party of " The Legacy of ABBA" (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2)".
- ^ Vandenhaute, Lieven (2021-10-07). "De nieuwe feiten". VRT.
- ^ Tavernier, Geert. "Atelier Gent74". Retrieved 2023-11-01.
- ^ Marah, Micha (2022-03-22). "Hadiemicha". Ment TV.
- ^ Pärn, Linda (2023-02-17). "LUGEMISSOOVITUS - ABBA kestab üle aegade nagu püramiidid.(Estisch): RECOMMENDED READING - ABBA lasts forever, just like the pyramids". Postimees.
- ^ Sinijärv, Karl Martin (2023-02-17). "Sinijärve raamatusoovitused: 'ABBA. Austusavaldus ülimale popbändile' on väga bändikeskne teo (Estisch): Sinijärvi's book recommendations: 'ABBA. Tribute to the ultimate pop band' puts the band in a very profoundly central position". ERR.ee.
- ^ Tavernier, Geert (2023-10-07). "Een werkplek waar kunstvormen elkaar zoeken en uitproberen".