Trivia

Vermandere studied Religion at Ghent and has been a teacher at Nieuwpoort.

Although he is most known for his music, Vermandere is more active as a sculptor.

As a cabaret performer, writer, poet, philosopher, sculptor, and painter, traditional Belgian folksinger Willem Vermandere prefers to think of himself as an artist more than a musician.

He first started teaching religious studies before his blend of humorous and socially conscious songs about everyday life made him one of the most popular figures on the '60s West Flemish scene.

In 1993 Vermandere wrote the song "Bange Blanke Man" ("Frightened White Man"), a song criticizing racism and xenophobia in a multicultural society. When performing at the Grand-Place in Brussels in 1992 Vermandere was physically assaulted. He also received letters of threat.

In 2000 he was bestowed with the title of honorary citizen of Veurne, where he lives in the suburb of Steenkerke.

Willem Vermandere is a Belgian singer, Flemish cabaret artist, writer, sculptor, guitarist and painter.

His repertoire expresses criticism on society. His performances are a mixture of seriousness, sadness and fun. His songs can be considered poetry.

His songs are written and sung in the dialect of the South of West-Flanders in Belgium. His most famous songs are 'Klein ventje van Elverdinge', 'Lat mie maar lopen', 'Als ik zing', 'Blanche en zijn peird', 'Bange blankeman', 'Duizend soldaten', 'La Belle Rosselle' and 'Ik plantte ne keer patatten'.

In 2009 the Flemish 'Radio 2' station nominated him as a member of the gallery of honor for a life filled with music.

His sculpture Verzoening, in English Reconciliation, was created by Willem Vermandere to commemorate World War I. It was erected October 8, 2014 at the geographical starting point of the Western Front.