All winners were invited to the Veltwijck Castle for a celebration. — © Ronny Mullens
The founder of eight choirs or Antwerp bands, they are both winners of the Ekerse culture prizes. A social cultural project was also not missed by the Ekerse voters when they had to award the third prize, the eye-catcher.
The three Ekerse culture prizes are awarded every two years. The residents themselves were given the opportunity to submit the nominees and a professional jury selected the three winners. All nominees were invited to a festive celebration on May 2.
Three winners
Glenn Pellis is in various music groups and also puts other Antwerp artists in the spotlight. He was therefore right to receive the ‘promising talent’ award. “I have been trying to put the Antwerp dialect on the map in various ways for ten years. I really didn’t expect it at all.”
Glenn Pellis has been immersed in Antwerp music for years, but has now won the promising talent. — © Ronny Mullens
After 55 years, it is not surprising that conductor Jef Cleymans has won the career prize. “This award is actually for all my successors who do fantastic work. They are formidable conductors who are known abroad. And hopefully all the wonderful singers, who now number more than a hundred, can continue to sing at home and abroad.”
Jef Cleymans thanked his successors extensively. — © Ronny Mullens
The eye-catcher went to Cultuurstation Tracé. Inspirers Stef Van Eyck and Ivan Janssens completely disappeared. Their range of cultural exhibitions are well known in Ekeren. But since this year they have been organizing workshops with wood, stone, textiles and glass for the organization De Heder, a center for people with disabilities.
“The organization is new in the Rozemaai district and was looking for connections, and we were happy to help with that,” says Ivan. “It’s brilliant to see what creativity lies within them.”
Ivan and Stef from Cultuurstation Tracé were completely surprised that they won the eye-catcher. — © Ronny Mullens
Three statues
The three trophies that Bram Tassiers created nicely reflect the prize they represent. The statues weigh exactly 2180 grams, a number that sounds very familiar to the people of Ekeren.
A clear loss was Erik Baelus. He died unexpectedly in January, but was nominated for all prizes. All the more reason to celebrate his family with forget-me-nots, because Ekeren clearly doesn’t do that either.
Erik Baelus’ widow, Ellen, was honored by the district. — © Ronny Mullens
The promising talent is still open to influences, where the career prize is a clearly defined fixed value. The eye-catcher is a combination of the two. (from left to right) — © Ronny Mullens
Tags: Diverse talent wins culture prizes dedicate prize successors Ekeren
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