Entertainment · Celebrity · 14 hrs ago
Herman Finkers named Twente’s greatest resident
Comedian Herman Finkers has been named Twente’s greatest resident after a public vote and jury assessment.
The title was awarded by Dutch newspaper Tubantia, and Finkers received far more votes than the other nominees.
Poet and scholar Willem Wilmink came second, while Leendert Overduin, who led a group that helped Jews during the Second World War, came third.
Finkers was born and raised in Almelo, and Twente often features in his work.
He called the award an “honourable mistake” and thanked those who voted for him.
The recognition reflects his strong connection to the region, including his 2020 Twente-language film and a recent reissue of a Bible translation into the Twente dialect.
Herman Finkers was named Twente’s greatest resident by newspaper Tubantia after a public vote and jury assessment.
The 71-year-old cabaret performer was nominated most often and received far more votes than the other candidates.
Dutch language scholar Willem Wilmink, who died in 2003, finished second, and Leendert Overduin finished third.
Finkers called the title “an honourable mistake” and thanked those who voted for him.
Born and raised in Almelo, Finkers often draws on Twente in his work.
- Who
- Herman Finkers, a 71-year-old cabaret performer.
- What
- He was named Twente’s greatest resident after a public vote and jury assessment.
- When
- The result was reported on November 8, 2026. The precise date of the announcement is not stated.
- Where
- Twente, a region in the Netherlands. Finkers was born and raised in Almelo.
- Why
- He was nominated most often and received far more votes than the other candidates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dutch language scholar Willem Wilmink died; he later finished second in the vote.
Finkers released the Twente-language feature film De beentjes van Sint-Hildegard.
A reissue of Anne van der Meiden’s Biebel in de Tweantse sproake appeared, partly on Finkers’s initiative.
NOS reported that Tubantia had named Finkers Twente’s greatest resident after a public vote and jury assessment.
- Winner
- Herman Finkers
- Age
- 71
- Second place
- Willem Wilmink
- Third place
- Leendert Overduin
- Birthplace and upbringing
- Almelo
- Film
- De beentjes van Sint-Hildegard, released in 2020
What people are saying
The greatest Twentenaar of all time. Well, my wife thinks quite differently.
An honourable mistake.
But I think it’s very kind of all the people who voted for me.