Herdersem is a village in the Belgian province of

East Flanders East Flanders ( ; ; ; ) is a Provinces of Belgium, province of Belgium. It borders (clockwise from the North) the Netherlands, Dutch province of Zeeland and the Belgian provinces of Antwerp (province), Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, Hainaut (provinc ...

and is a submunicipality of Aalst. It was an independent municipality until the municipal reorganization of 1977. Baardegem is located in the

Denderstreek The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut (province), Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situa ...

and has 2578 inhabitants. Herdersem was first mentioned in the year 868. During the 11th-century to 14th century it was connected to the Abbey of Affligem. In Herdersem, an annual Saint Anthony celebration takes place in the weekend around the feast day of

Anthony the Great Anthony the Great (; ; ; ; – 17 January 356) was a Christian monk from Egypt, revered since his death as a saint. He is distinguished from other saints named Anthony, such as , by various epithets: , , , , , and . For his importance among t ...

(17 January), the patron saint of butchers who is often depicted with a

pig The pig (''Sus domesticus''), also called swine (: swine) or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the genus '' Sus''. Some authorities cons ...

. Herdersem also has a pig museum.''Duizenden varkens in alle vormen, maten en gewichten in Varkensmuseum Herdersem''
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on 28 January 2023.

References

Sub-municipalities of Belgium Populated places in East Flanders Former municipalities of East Flanders {{EastFlanders-geo-stub