London International Flag Congress, ICV 27

International Flag Congress, London, August 2017: A report

This year, the 27^th International Congress of Vexillology (ICV) held at the Imperial College, South Kensington, London from 7^th -11^th August attracted about 300+ delegates from 38+ different countries where 42 lectures were delivered. It was such a pleasure meeting old friends and new, and all had a great time - despite the best efforts of the good old British weather!

International Congress of Vexillology (ICV)s are held every two years under the auspices of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV). FIAV is an association of 60 + Flag societies and flag research centres from 43+ countries. ICVs consist mainly of lectures, presentations and workshops by the world’s leading flag experts who have the opportunity to present their research and activities to their international peers.

 Attendance at the Congress and the excursions to flag-related sites and various social functions provide the forum to deepen relationships with other vexillologists who have similar interests, and the opportunity for ideas to be cross-fertilised by contact with peers who have different specialisations.

International Congress of Vexillology(ICV)s are held every two years under the auspices of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV). FIAV is an association of 60 + Flag societies and flag research centres from 43+ countries. ICVs consist mainly of lectures, presentations and workshops by the world’s leading flag experts who have the opportunity to present their research and activities to their international peers. Attendance at the Congress and the excursions to flag-related sites and various social functions provide the forum to deepen relationships with other vexillologists who have similar interests, and the opportunity for ideas to be cross-fertilised by contact with peers who have different specialisations.

   

 About 40 acclaimed speakers from all across the world presented their original researched papers on myriad flag related topics. Later these lectures will be published in book form by the Flag Institute, UK.

Sekhar Chakrabarti on political party flags that have doubled up as national flags

From India, Mr Sekhar Chakrabarti, a well known vexillologist participated as an invitee to the 27^th ICV and presented his well researched paper on aspects of Indian National Flag which was highly appreciated by the esteemed audience.
 He has earned the distinction of being the sole Indian delegate to present his papers in three consecutive ICVs viz. the 25th ICV at Rotterdam, Netherlands in 2013, the 26^th ICV at Sydney, Australia and the 27^th ICV in London.

Dr. Patrice de La Condamine on "Women and Flags.

Christopher Maddish writes Condamine focused on portrayal of women on flags.  They can be seem of patriotic or rather "matriotic" heroines, religiously, warriors, motherly images, and many other ways.

He noted that although Islamic statues forbids the portrayal of women in forms, one flag in Egypt has the statue bust of Nefertiti upon it.  Caondmine also pointed out several flags from Nazi Germany and North Korea that used women to inspire and represent the people.

Patrice also pointed out some fun flags, which included the proverbial tri-skelleton flag for the opposing gender the Isle of Woman.  

Dr Condamine with our each others books

Kevin Harrington's paper was entitled Flags and the Anniversaries of 2017: Myths, Mistakes, Misconceptions. Christopher writes Harrington spoke briefly about flags that were changed due to the Socialist Red Scare, namely of the old red Oklahoma flag and a few others.  Harrington also gave an enchanting retelling of his youthful excitement in 1965 when the current Canadian flag was adopted, which he instantly loved.  

Harrington proposed that the some Canadian flags with the red and blue ensign may have never existed, and only came into existence due to assumptions and errors.  Essentially the Admiralty was making mistakes and assumptions, based upon the hypotheticals.  As of yet there is no direct evidence that some flags existed.  Perhaps the flags were proposed, but none were created to fly on a flag pole?  

Ralph Kelly of Australia spoke on "A Flag For Empire"

Scot Guenter of USA giving a wonderful paper on the "Essence of vexillology", his paper titled "Historical shifts and emergent paradigms : tradition, ideology, source of power and influence in flag studies".

 Ms Sukla Chakrabarti(extreme left) with Maria Esther Cruz (Netherlands), Scot Guenter and Nicolas Hugot (France).

Kevin Harrington of Canada spoke on "Flags and the Anniversaries of 2017: myths, mistakes, misconceptions".

Christopher Maddish of USA on "Colour Coding"

Rachel Phelan of Ireland on "Conserving the Irish Republic flag that flew during the 1916 Easter Rising".

Roberto Breschi of Italy on "The flag treasures in Florence".

Mr Chakrabarti presenting his award winning book "The Indian National unfurling Through Philately" published by Niyogi Books to Dr Michel Lupant (in the centre) of Belgium - the President of the FIAV and to Prof Ian Sumnar of Flag Institute, UK, Programme Director ICV27, Maggie Sumner.

Signing Books

The Prize Winners

Texas Flag Society receiving the FIAV flag for the next Congress at San Antonio in 2019

To be continued