Jo Haazen is the director of the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, near Brussels. His enthusiasm and energy helped to collect the necessary $350,000, principally in Belgium but also in the U.S., Japan and Australia, for the manufacture, transportation and installation of the new carillon in St. Petersburg. As Haazen said, the project has now been expanded to include the installation of an additional instrument in Peterhof on its 300th anniversary next year and the establishment of a proper carillon school in Russia.

The carillon is a musical instrument with a keyboard and pedals controlling a set of bells to perform liturgical, classical and folk music. It was first introduced into Russia by Peter the Great, who acquired a couple of carillons during his travels in Holland. Eventually one of these instruments was installed in the Peter and Paul Cathedral within the Peter and Paul Fortress. But with the passage of time the carillons fell into disrepair and the concerts stopped until September 2001 and Haazen's first public concert at the fortress.

Now three years later, having heard from the director of the Peterhof State Museum that the Peterhof Palace also once possessed a carillon, Haazen is ready to do it again.

"It is a pity that Russia has only one carillon. We in Belgium have 120, in France there are 80 and 70 in Germany," Haazen said.

The planned 300th anniversary of Peterhof in 2005 gives Haazen a perfect opportunity to initiate another project. It is one more step in the reestablishment of Peterhof's tradition as a center for Russian and foreign music. With the support of the Peterhof Museum and under the presidency of Haazen a special foundation has been created with the purpose of collecting funds for a Peterhof carillon.

Haazen explains why he has become so engaged by the next project. "Seeing the bell tower in Peterhof where we are planning to mount the carillon, I understood that it could be a real gem. Until 1917 the tower at the Upper Park contained the bells announcing the arrival of the royal family. The 51 bells will be smaller in size than the bells set at the Peter and Paul church, but it will have four octaves and will be suitable to play religious and classic music. I believe it will be one of the best carillons in the world"

The problem is the shortage of time. In 15 months it is necessary to collect the means, cast the bells, bring and install them. How is the fund raising proceeding?

"Our foundation stresses the importance of Russian sponsors," said Konstantin Yepachtin, the coordinator of the project.

"We cannot ask Belgians to donate money for another Russian carillon. They can reply: Where are the Russian sponsors? By now we have already several Russian sponsors and Jo Haazen has attracted four Belgians. The project progresses nicely. The Dutch Foundry Petit and Fritsen which made the Peter and Paul church carillon has put aside time for making our carillon. There are only five foundries in the world for making bells. So imagine how busy they are. The donors will have their names and inscriptions chiseled on the bells they buy. What a beautiful and noble opportunity to immortalize your name! We need 250,000 euros, but the price tag of the whole project will be more."

Installing a carillon is not everything. Musicians must also be available locally to perform on it. Yepachtin said that the project includes means for training Russian musicians, who would over time replace Haazen. For this to succeed there should be a carillon school here in St. Petersburg, he said.

As Jo Haazen puts it: "The idea of having a carillon school was approved. We will bring from Mechelen the school keyboard. I will give courses. There is an evident interest among young Russian musicians and we will have two carillons already. Now we are looking for accommodations. I am optimistic. I hope that after the city has received a generous present from us it will find means to make a reciprocal gesture, giving us a place for our school."