Over the last ten years or so, I have often heard people speak of Artibano Benedetto, a friendly, warm-hearted local neighbour, in his capacity as composer, singer, editor and producer but mainly as a fervent defender of the rights of the less fortunate. I have read and heard a great deal about him, both positive and not so positive. Nonetheless, I wanted to form my own opinion of this amazing and charismatic personality. In time, therefore, I discovered that this man thought nothing of investing his own time and money in helping the less fortunate without seeking public recognition from the media. A miner’s son, he has turned his own dreams into reality and is now keen to share his success by participating, in his inimitable way, in the struggle against the growing levels of poverty in Belgium. His aim is simply to show that being a responsible citizen does not only mean benefiting from rights but also implies shouldering certain responsibilities. Who can now, hand on heart claim to carry out his responsibilities as a human being in our democratic society? Sadly, our contemporary world is not known for respecting people’s rights and obligations to the extent that it should … all the same, Artibano Benedetto’s daily social commitment enables him to ride roughshod over all difficulties. Come what may, he somehow continues to devote his time favourably and in equal measure to his fight to improve the plight of the disenfranchised and his career as a popular artist.

In July 2007, I undertook a series of interviews with Artibano Benedetto. Through these we got to know each other better through a frank exchange of opinions on both life and the world around us. This led to a partnership through which we would aim to entertain people while furnishing them with a tool to dissolve the mist from their eyes and focus on social realities. The resulted in the idea for this book: “The Legend of King Arti”, which you are now holding in your hands.

Throughout this magical romp, the fruit of many long discussions, I decided with valuable advice from Artibano Benedetto, to write an entertaining epic with social and cultural overtones so every reader could associate himself with the plot and its characters. If the primary aim of “The Legend of King Arti” is entertainment, it also offers readers the opportunity to reflect on the principles of their own lifestyle and rediscover those fundamental values lost along the way through conflict and jealousy: respect, tolerance, solidarity, the family, friendship and love.

It is now, dear reader, up to you to interpret this novel in your own way…

La Louvière, Tuesday, 22nd January, 2008

Jonathan DUVIVIER