Hans Van Laethem

Hans Van Laethem (born February 7, 1960 in Ninove ) is the town crier of the Belgian city of Ninove.

Van Laethem celebrated several successes at the international "Stadtschreier" competitions: first he was runner-up in 2000 and European champion in 2002 in his hometown. In 2005 he became the first Belgian master of the city screamers. Finally, in September 2005 in Maryborough, Australia, he became the first Belgian to secure the world title. At the event he prevailed against 64 competitors with his lectures in Ninoofs dialect , a transitional form from East Flemish to Brabantian .

After his return, his hometown made him an honorary citizen . The town council of Ninove paid tribute to Van Laethem's many years of activity as a town hawker and his numerous successes with which he made the town known beyond the borders of Belgium.