Genk
Church of Saint Martin
Coat of arms
Genk Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°58′N 05°30′E / 50.967°N 5.5°E / 50.967; 5.5
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	Limburg
Arrondissement	Hasselt
Government
• Mayor	Wim Dries (CD&V)
• Governing party/ies	CD&V
Area
• Total	87.85 km2 (33.92 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2011)[1]
• Total	64,987
• Density	740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Demographics
• Foreigners	14.02% (7 January 2005)
Postal codes	3600
Area codes	089
Website	www.genk.be
Map of Genk

Genk (Dutch: Genk, Dutch pronunciation: [ʝɛŋk]) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. The municipality only comprises the city of Genk itself. It is one of the most important industrial cities in Flanders, located on the Albert Canal, between Antwerp and Liège.

History[link]

Celtic and medieval origins[link]

Genk probably originated as a Celtic village, and was converted to Christianity in the 10th century. The remains of a little wooden church dating from that period were found in the area. The first mention of Genk as Geneche can be found in a document dating from 1108, ceding the territory to the Abbey of Rolduc. Politically, Genk belonged to the County of Loon until it was annexed by the Prince-Bishopric of Liège in 1365.

19th century[link]

During a century of on-going industrialisation further south in Belgium, Limburg modernised only slowly: Genk remained unimportant and small, growing slowly to a population of 2,000 around 1900. The peaceful village was the home of landscape painters and writers such as Neel Doff.

20th century development[link]

In 1901, André Dumont found a large quantity of coal in the nearby village of As. Soon after, the “Black Gold” was also found in Genk. After World War I, the village started to attract a large quantity of both Belgian and foreign immigrants, and quickly became the biggest city in Limburg after Hasselt, peaking to a population of 70 000. However, in 1966 the coal mine of Zwartberg closed down, and Genk had to develop new industries, mainly along the Albert Canal and highways. By the end of the 1980s, the two remaining coal mines at Winterslag and Waterschei were also closed.

Automotive industry[link]

The Genk Body & Assembly factory of Ford Motor Company is the largest and most important employer in Genk today, employing some 5,000 people and building the Mondeo sedan and hatchback, the Galaxy (second generation, from 2006 and onwards) MPV/minivan, and the S-MAX sub-MPV.

Genk today[link]

Genk is now the industrial centre of Limburg, offering over 45,000 jobs, making it economically the third most significant city in Flanders, and harbouring a population of about 85 nationalities. In fact, one third of the population is of a foreign nationality. This mix of Flemish and Mediterranean (mostly Italian, 15000; Turkish, 6000; and Greek, 1000) culture makes Genk a true multicultural society. In 2000, Genk officially became a city. Genk was recently voted the friendliest city in Europe by the SEA Tourist Commission.^{[citation needed]}

Sights[link]

• The biggest tourist attraction of Genk is Bokrijk (www.bokrijk.be), an open-air museum consisting of authentic relocated buildings (mainly dating from 17th till 19th century) from all over Flanders. In the summer season, historical Flanders comes alive in Bokrijk through numerous actors and re-enactment events.
• Genk was established as one of the entrance "gateways" of the Hoge Kempen National Park, the first National Park in Flanders, at its opening in 2006.
• Also noteworthy are the old coalmines of Zwartberg, Waterschei and Winterslag, surrounded by huge black mountains of dug up soil and coal remnants. Some of the mine buildings and housing can be visited.
• Despite its industrial past and present, Genk is nicknamed 'De Groene Stad' (The Green City). It sports a nature reserve called "De Maten", the large recreational area Kattevennen (with the Europlaneterium), Bokrijk, and several other green areas. In sunny weather, you may also want to pay a visit to the Sundial Park (Dutch: Zonnewijzerpark).
• The Europlanetarium Genk has a planetarium and observatory.

Events[link]

• Genk is home of Motives Festival, an annual event taking place in November and celebrating "new sounds of jazz." Recent performers have included the fiery piano jazz of Esbjörn Svensson Trio, funky saxman Joshua Redman, and futuristic electronics wizard Leafcutter John. Another musical event, Genk on Stage, takes place during three days in the summer.
• Genk is also rich in tradition, with a colourful carnival taking place around Ash Wednesday, the May celebrations featuring the May Queen, a flowers parade and a huge fireworks finale, and finally the Saint Martin procession, in honour of Saint Martin of Tours, one of the most popular saints in Flanders.
• In 2012 Genk will be host to Manifesta, The roving European Biennial of Contemporary Art, together with events such as the biennial of Venice and the Documenta in Kassel, Manifesta is one of the foremost art events of Europe. Manifesta 9 will take place from June 2 until September 30, 2012.

Famous and notable inhabitants[link]

• Neel Doff, writer (1858-1942)
• Jacques Germeaux, politician and senator (b. 1956)
• Martin Margiela, fashion designer (b. 1957)
• Jo Vandeurzen, politician (b. 1958)
• Dirk Medved, football defender (b. 1968)
• Ronny Gaspercic, football goalkeeper (b. 1969)
• Karel Geraerts, footballer (b. 1982)
• Benjamin De Ceulaer, footballer (b. 1983)
• Siglo XX, 1980's Coldwave band
• Stef "Stip" Vanstiphout, Composer, Musician: " Mute Albino ", Graphic Artist and Cartoonist (b. 1957)

Sports[link]

Genk's major football club, KRC Genk, promoted from second division in 1996 and quickly became one of Belgiums top clubs. They finished first in the highest football league in 1999, 2002 and 2011 and won the Belgian Cup in 1998, 2000 and 2009 Because of this success, the Cristal Arena (formerly known as Fenix stadium) of KRC Genk (place for 25 500 supporters) has become an important centre of both sport and non-sport activities in recent years.

Twin cities[link]

• Francistown, Botswana
• Cieszyn, Poland
• Isparta, Turkey

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website - Only available in Dutch
• Official website of soccer club KRC Genk
• Official website of the Open-Air Museum Bokrijk

v t e Municipalities in the Province of Limburg, Flanders, Belgium Hasselt As Beringen Diepenbeek Genk Gingelom Halen Ham Hasselt Herk-de-Stad Heusden-Zolder Leopoldsburg Lummen Nieuwerkerken Opglabbeek Sint-Truiden Tessenderlo Zonhoven Zutendaal Maaseik Bocholt Bree Dilsen-Stokkem Hamont-Achel Hechtel-Eksel Houthalen-Helchteren Kinrooi Lommel Maaseik Meeuwen-Gruitrode Neerpelt Overpelt Peer Tongeren Alken Bilzen Borgloon Heers Herstappe Hoeselt Kortessem Lanaken Maasmechelen Riemst Tongeren Voeren Wellen