President of the European Mustache Club Antwerp honored at City Hall. “There should be more men like Willy” (Antwerp)
This Tuesday Willy Dupon, president of the European Mustache Club Antwerp (ESA), blows out 85 candles. In that context, a Saturday took place in the Wandelzaal of the Antwerp town hall. Speeches were made, presents were handed out and glasses were raised.
The speeches on the Schoon Verdiep were given by Antwerp alderman Peter Wouters (N-VA), a representative of the Order of the Brussels Moestasje – who came to Antwerp with a hefty shipment – and of course Willy Dupon himself.
Snoravia
The last establishment in 1978 of the Snorrenclub Antwerp, based on his café De Snor on the Brouwersvliet, and a continued active campaign for the whole time of snoring.
He recognized Saturday with a series of anecdotes. The memorable election of jazz musician Toots Thielemans in 1988 and the ‘occupation’ a year earlier by his Mustache Club of Presqu’île de L’Ilal, an absolute gem on the Meuse that was promptly renamed the Independent Republic of Snoravia, is just a sampling of the offer.
Antwerp folklore
Peter Wouters has nothing but praise for Willy Dupon: “He is someone who holds Antwerp folklore in high esteem and is a very warm man of the people. So there should be more. In short, he belongs to the kind of people who really need to be honored every now and then.” Incidentally, the ships itself does not have a mustache: “I would like to, but it would first be a down for a long time before becoming an adult. It’s a fight with yourself.”
Deputy Luk Lemmens (N-VA and mustachioed): “Willy is someone who has devoted his life to preserving traditions, a very important fact that we unfortunately miss all too often these days.”
Honorary mayor Bob Cools was voted Mustache of the Year in 1983. “He is a real go-getter and that we can celebrate his 85th birthday here today is a happy moment.”
Become a living party
Guy Van de Casteele was also present during the ceremony. Since 1984 he has been the driving force behind the puppet theater De Poesje van Sint-Andries -another Antwerp folkloric institute- and the proud owner of an impressive hairy facade. “I have been a member of the Mustache Club from the very beginning and we have experienced many beautiful and impressive things together, including episodes that are not suitable for publication,” he laughs. “You can perhaps best describe Willy as a lively party, a barrel full of energy and ingenuity. In short, he is formidable. Once a snorer, always a snorer!”
Finish the career
Willy Dupon concludes: “Some people are absent due to the flu, but I am very happy that so many people are present today. From Antwerp of course, but also from all over Flanders and Brussels. One might see this tribute as a kind finish the career, the end of my excesses. But nothing is less true. I just keep going on with my mustaches.”
For example, on February 4, a mustache cat – a female, naturally moustacheless Antwerp resident – will be chosen. A new Snor van ‘t Stad will follow in June, a member of veterans’ association The British Legion that has not yet been named. (mibl)