Zwolle to host national town crier competition

Town and village criers from the Netherlands and Belgium will gather at Rodetorenplein in Zwolle on September 12 for a national competition. The event, held during Open Monumentendag Zwolle, celebrates the living tradition of oral announcements once used to inform the public of official news.

The competition commemorates the 30th anniversary of Peter Vader, who has served as the town crier of Zwolle since late 1995. Participants will be judged on voice usage, presentation, content, and originality. The contest consists of two parts: a mandatory call based on municipal topics and a free call allowing for personal expression.

As the final competition of the year, the event will also determine the Dutch champion of town and village criers for 2026.