Korda can go ahead in Paradiso

BERT STEINMETZ

AMSTERDAM - The performance of controversial American DJ and video artist Chris Korda in Paradiso tomorrow night can still go ahead. Mayor Job Cohen of Amsterdam and chief public prosecutor Leo de Wit see no reason to take action against it for the time being.

Cohen and De Wit announced last week that they would investigate whether the performance could be banned, after municipal councillor Hans Res (CDA) had requested this on Thursday. Joël Voordewind, chairman of the Christian Union in Amsterdam, urged Cohen again this morning to ban the performance. The Christian Union has asked questions about this issue in the Lower House.

But according to press officer Dop Kruimel, "there is no criminal offence yet." "We will therefore not take action in anticipation of the cases. But tomorrow we will act as we see fit."

Mayor Cohen's spokeswoman also says that "on the grounds of public order there is no title to act." "The mayor cannot ban the performance and therefore does not do so."

Spokesman Luc de Loo of Paradiso says that he always assumed that the Korda concert would go ahead. Despite all the fuss, the box office is still not going crazy.

Korda is a controversial artist who calls himself a pastor of the Church of Euthanasia. He promotes suicide and cannibalism during his performances and shows shocking video clips, such as footage of the attacks on the Twin Towers mixed with clips of porn and sports.

© Het Parool, 12-11-2002

The preceding is a translation. The original language is here.