A second giant couple from De Panne: Jan De Moerduivel and Melina. On the occasion of Adinkerke's 1000th anniversary, a giant party was held in 1992 and the two giants married each other.
Who is Jan De Moerduivel?
Jan De Moerduivel was baptised on 19 March 1950 on the initiative of the Sint-Cecilia music society. The then mayor of De Moeren was referred to as the godfather of the giant, his wife the godmother.
In the 17th century, the region around the polder village of De Moeren was swampy and an ideal hiding place for robbers and thieves. They hid in the reeds with small boats and lived off of hunting, fishing and robbery. In 1646, the water rose so high that only the church tower was visible. When the water finally receded, the bodies of the pirate Jan De Moerduivel and his companions were found in the church tower.
The giant is 4.25 m tall and wears a black vest with a red collar, set with yellow ribbon and a pointed hat.
At that time, the giant had an entourage of 33 dancing girls and squires: all of them wore the same costume as the giant. There is even a giant song called 'De Moerduivel'!
Who is Melina?
Melina, the wife of Jan De Moerduivel, was commissioned by the Florizoone family and the Meli Park was built on the occasion of Adinkerke's 1000th anniversary. She is a 4 m tall busty lady with blonde hair, blue eyes and blushing cheeks. She always carries a bee in her left hand, the mascot of the former Meli Park.
