Hof der dingen - The Almanac of ‘The Little Man of Mane’

“I read it in the almanac.” It’s hard to imagine in today’s digital golden age, but there was a time when tearing off a page of the almanac was part of the daily ritual. Not only that, but little children would also often squabble with their brothers and sisters over whose turn it was to tear off the page. And yes — “I read it in the almanac” was once a common phrase in West Flanders. What could be found in it? A bit of everything really: practical info like sunrise and sunset times, the name day of a saint, or advice on when to sow your seeds. But also: proverbs, puns, and sometimes even a bit of life wisdom — just enough to spark a chuckle over morning coffee. 

The Little Man of Mane - The oldest and perhaps also most famous almanac was that of Het Manneke uit de Mane (The Little Man of the Moon), created in Diksmuide in 1881. Its creator? Alfons Van Hee from Wijtschate, an assistant pastor with a sharp pen and a talent for witty writing. He didn’t work alone, though: two fellow priests and three university students assisted him. The famous illustration of The Little Man of the Moon on the almanac was thought of by Ferdinand Rodenbach, brother to Albrecht Rodenbach, a well-known poet around these parts. All of them knew one another from Swighenden Eede, a secret society of West Flemish flamingants inspired by Hugo Verriest, a pivotal figure who advocated for the conservation of the Flemish culture and identity. The almanac became a regional staple. It was published yearly until World War I, then sporadically until 1964, when, much to everyone’s excitement, it was decided to make it a yearly publication once again. Fun fact: ‘The Little Man of Mane’ even has its own knighthood – uniting remarkable West Flemish people since 1964.

And then came... De Druivelaar Another iconic name in the almanac world? De Druivelaar — and yes, this one also has roots in West Flanders. We did mention already that West Flemish people are quite entrepreneurial, right? De Druivelaar was first published in 1915 by René Nuttin from Zwevegem. When Nuttin retired, he looked for someone knowledgeable to take over the business, and printer Strobbe from Izegem grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Today, De Druivelaar is still going strong, printed by Inni Group in Heule, West Flanders. So, the next time you spot an almanac hanging in a kitchen or a waiting room, remember it’s so much more than a calendar. It’s a West Flemish tradition – full of charm, wisdom, and daily delights.