THIELEMANS, FREDDY

(1944- )

Freddy Thielemans was born on 11 September 1944 inLaeken. After completing studies in the commercial sciences, he taught Germanic languages in secondary schools in Brussels beginning in 1966. An active member of the Young Socialists, he was elected president of the Brussels section of the Socialist Party and entered political life in winning election in October 1988 to the post ofaldermanin charge of fine arts and, from 17 December 1993, that of publiceducationas well. He served asburgomasterof Brussels for a brief period (26 April 1994 to 31 December 1994), returned to his alderman position, and was elected to the Council of theBrussels Capital Regionon 21 May 1995. Thiele-mans returned to serve as burgomaster, his mandate beginning on 12 January 2001. He is also a poet, a writer of political essays and mystery fiction stories, and a caricature artist.