Joris Goens

Joris Goens, Town Crier of the beautiful city of Veurne, represents a community of 12,000 residents. His public career began at the 2004 barrel organ festival, where he stood out by delivering drinks on a cargo bike while dressed as a traditional Flemish “champetter” (village constable). In June 2005, he was officially appointed as the Town Crier of Veurne.

Since Belgium introduced its national Town Crier Championship in 2005, Joris has become its most successful competitor, winning the title thirteen times: 2006 Oudenaarde, 2007 Veurne, 2008 Zele, 2009 Ostend, 2010 Genk, 2011 Waregem, 2014 Ghent, 2017 Lennik, 2019 Assenede, 2022 Baasrode, 2023 Torhout, 2024 Assenede and 2025 Lede. The 2026 championship will take place in Zottegem on 13 September. He also won two European Guild Championships (2010 Ninove and 2016 Colchester) and became Vice European Champion in Almelo in 2007.

He performs regularly in Veurne and guides groups on his humorous city tour Walking with the Veurne Town Crier. His wife, Monica Rys, accompanies him in traditional costume during competitions.

Joris also appeared on Belgium’s Got Talent, where he set a world record for catching grapes in the mouth in three minutes during the live semi-final on 6 December 2013.