Guild member Wijnand Akkerman appointed a Knight

Calender Icon 4. June 2025

On May 28th Wijnand Akkerman from Zwolle (The Netherlands) received the royal decoration of Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau from mayor Peter Snijders. Wijnand Akkerman has been active in the fields of cultural heritage, tourism and carnival for over forty years. As a born and bred Zwolle resident, he is dedicated to his city and the Hanseatic idea.

Wijnand Akkerman

Wijnand plays a crucial role in conveying the rich history of Zwolle and the Hanseatic spirit, both nationally and internationally. It is no surprise that he is referred to as the “Hanseatic Man of Zwolle” in his hometown. Collaboration, connecting with people and helping each other are core values for Wijnand. For decades, he has been committed to the Hanseatic ideas at the Hanseatic Guild, the Union of Cities THE HANSA and the International Hanseatic Days.

Wijnand attended many Hanseatic trade fairs and meetings. There he shared the history, events and opportunities of Zwolle. This earned him membership in the International Hanseatic Guild years ago; a distinction he holds as the only Dutch member. In addition, the carnival and many Zwolle events have always been able to count on his support and involvement.