The "FCI Cynological Days" in Brussels

Marking the climax and also the culmination of the FCI's centenary celebrations, the "FCI Cynological Days" were held on 11-14 November 2011 in Brussels. Delegates from 35 countries were offered a programme catering for all tastes: a cynological symposium, a high-class "FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions" competition, a gala evening, and, to round things off, a trip to Bruges, the UNESCO World Heritage City, and an open day at the FCI headquarters.

Some 150 people took part in the symposium on "Dog and Man: quo vadis? Knowledge and Prospects”, greatly enjoying the very interesting presentations addressing current issues.

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Hans W. Müller
FCI President

Gala Dinner

On Saturday 12 November 2011, almost 250 people met in the magnificent “Concert Noble” room in Brussels to celebrate the centenary of the FCI. Delegations from about forty members and contract partners, representatives from the worlds of politics, veterinary science and the press, from Eukanuba, FCI’s partner and Royal Canin, the FCI’s partner for the FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions, as well as the staff from the FCI Secretariat General all attended to pay tribute to that most respected Grande Dame of institutions, the FCI.

© EVENTATTITUDE – E. Charneux

After a welcoming cocktail, the participants were invited to take their places in the grand and luxurious room where the starter, main course, dessert, coffee and pastries were served.

© EVENTATTITUDE – E. Charneux
Honoured by the fact that many countries had expressed a wish to speak in acknowledgement of the occasion, it was decided to separate the speeches into several stages in order to avoid unnecessarily prolonging the speaking time. We believe that we can claim this initiative to have been successful. The speeches were enjoyable and short, the speakers following the instructions they had been given. Moreover, the atmosphere throughout the evening was neither too solemn nor too relaxed; it was enjoyable and very friendly.

In his welcoming speech, the President, Mr H. Müller, thanked both those from outside the world of cynology and those representatives of canine organisations for attending. He reaffirmed that the two main challenges facing the FCI over the next 100 years would be to guarantee top quality, sound and healthy breeding and to tackle the introduction of any law concerning the pure and simple elimination of some breeds in some countries.

© EVENTATTITUDE – E. Charneux
© EVENTATTITUDE – E. Charneux

© EVENTATTITUDE – E. Charneux
The dinner ended with a fascinating and very entertaining close-up magic show, performed by a widely known personality in the field of magic in Belgium and throughout the French-speaking world, Mr C. Vaquera.

We sincerely thank all of our members and contract partners, as well as all of those who accepted our invitation to share with us this historic moment for our Federation.

Y. De Clercq
FCI Executive Director