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 External links official website of the district of Ekeren (in Dutch) website for the municipal academy for music and word (in Dutch) Districts of Antwerp Populated places in Antwerp Province