Ekeren

In 1703, Ekeren was the site of a battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, known as the Battle of Ekeren. Some street names in Ekeren (for example, the "Successiestraat", "Vierkerkenstraat", and "Tweekronenstraat") still refer to this historical event. During the Liberation of Belgium, Ekeren was liberated on 4 October 1944 by the Essex Scottish Regiment and the Royal Regiment of Canada. The last V-Bomb to land in the area of Antwerp was in Ekeren, on 28 March 1945. == Government ==

Ekeren was a distinct municipality with its own town hall, mayor, and city council until 1983, when most of it, along with 8 other municipalities was merged into the city of Antwerp. In 2000 the Antwerp city council initiated additional district councils with responsibilities including sports, culture, youth and elderly people. Since this decentralization, the Antwerp municipality consists of nine districts (the old city, seven former municipalities at its borders, and the Bezali merger of three towns). The first district council of Ekeren, elected in 2000, was led by Christophe Thomas (Open Vld); the second district council, elected in 2006, by Ronny Kruyniers (sp.a). The current district council chairman is Koen Palinckx (N-VA) (elected in 2012). The district council gathers in the 16th century-era Hof van Veltwijck, which had seen major restructuring works around 2000; this complex also houses local administrative offices. == Notable residents ==

• Vlaams Belang politician Filip Dewinter (1962–) • Libera Carlier, writer (1926–2007) • Georges Morren, painter, sculptor, engraver (1868–1941) • Sanne Cant, Belgian Cyclo-cross racing cyclist, three times world champion (1990–) == Sister cities ==

• Andernach, Germany • Newry, Northern Ireland == References ==