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