85,000 visitors attended the Jeneverfeesten in Hasselt on its opening day, according to Schepen Laurence Libert of N-VA/Anders, who noted that “alles verloopt vlot” (“everything is going smoothly”). The event, held in the city’s center, featured music and traditional elements, though some attendees expressed concerns about an overabundance of DJs compared to conventional tents. The festival, which began on Saturday, 17 October 2026, also marked the introduction of Vlaamse actress Maaike Cafmeyer as its new ambassador. Burgemeester Steven Vandeput (N-VA) officially kicked off the celebration by tasting the first batch of Hasseltse jenever, a local spirit.
The festival’s traditions included the ceremonial handing of “manteltjes” (cloaks) to the Borrelmanneke, a symbolic figure at the Maastrichterstraat, and its female counterpart, the Borrelvreuke, which treats the public with a wink to the historic role of women in jenever production. A separate exhibition highlighted the contributions of historical women to the craft, including the unnamed inventor of the distillation process. Libert emphasized the event’s success, stating, “We are very happy with the turnout on day one, where everything goes smoothly. We hope it stays dry tomorrow so we can fully enjoy it again.”
Jenever Festivals Begin with Ambassador and Mayor’s Tasting
The Jeneverfeesten’s official start saw Burgemeester Steven Vandeput sample the first batch of the year’s jenever, a tradition highlighting the spirit’s cultural significance. Maaike Cafmeyer, the newly appointed ambassador, aimed to promote the festival’s history, particularly its ties to local women. “The woman who invented the distillation of jenever would be proud,” a source noted, though no specific name was cited. The event’s opening also featured the ceremonial “manteltjes” presentation, a ritual involving confrérieën and stadsautoriteiten.
Tradition Meets Modernity at the Festival
The festival’s schedule included a historical exhibition on women in jenever’s past, a nod to the craft’s evolving narrative. “We hope that tomorrow also stays dry,” Libert added, highlighting the weather’s impact on the celebration’s success.
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