THE DEMER MAN

• HET DEMERMANNEKE
• The Demermanneke is a bronze statue by Pol Martens from 1977, located on Demerstraat. It represents the former “Demer man,” who kept the river clean and managed the aquatic life in the city.
• In popular folklore, he also became a sort of bogeyman: parents warned their children that the Demermanneke would come for them if they misbehaved.
• After a brief absence due to construction work, the statue was reinstated in 2024 on its pedestal in its familiar alley. Today, it is a typical symbol of Hasselt, reminding residents of the historic Demer River, which once ran through the city and played an important role in daily life.