Federation of European Carnival Cities
Encyclopedia
The Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC) was founded in 1980 and has been registered in the Court of Luxembourg. Member cities, organization and individual members are engaged in producing popular celebrations or carnivals which represent an authentic masquerade
or parade
of a people's cultural identity. The General membership meets twice each year generally at the end of May and in October.
(The Nederlands), Carnival Princes from all over the world met each other in the Amsterdam RAI congress centre in November 1975. The Amsterdam Carnival Association, governed by Mr.Henk van der Kroon
was called “Amstelpieren & Brokkerijders.” The big event brought an unprecedented number of Carnival Associations from different countries together. The guests of honour included Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands
as well as diplomats and dignitaries from afar including Brazil
, Greece
, Germany
and Belgium
. This unique event is widely recognized as the starting point for the lasting contacts and exchanges between associations and cities that has become the FECC.
In 1980, international carnival associations met in Patras (Greece), again under the initiative of the Amsterdam Carnival Association Ämstelpieren & Bfrokkerijders. It is generally accepted that the FECC (Foundation of European Carnival) came into existence during this meeting. At the 5th reunion in Kos-Patmos (Greece), which took place in 1985, a membership was introduced and it was decided to drawn up rules and bylaws. The first countries that became a member of the Foundation were Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
, England
and Malta
. Articles of association were formulated and the creation of FECC was registered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Directly following the 1987 7th reunion in Malta, the Belgian members founded their own section FECC-Belgium with its own governing board. In 1988 FECC-Germany founded their own section as did FECC-Netherlands and FECC –Luxembourg. The first elected International President was Mr. Henk van der Kroon.
Throughout the year the International President and other Board Members travel to member cities and interested Carnivals to learn, educate and often officiate at the ceremonies surrounding what is often the most important annual event for the community and even country. The FECC is a global organization holding its first annual convention outside the Mediterranean in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1987. Many Carnivals, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have grown up under the mentorship of FECC engagement. Since its founding, the FECC has been the only unswerving organization consistently speaking for the interests and concerns of Carnival organizations. Representatives from Carnival organizations in over 50 countries are members and annual conventions generally have several Mayors seeking ways to bring more international recognition and culturally oriented tourists to their festivals.
The convention lasts 1 week end takes place between end mid-May and mid- June. These conventions enjoy a lot of interest: every year, participants from more than 20 countries are present.
During these annual conventions, the members get an international forum which enables them to promote their carnival and their town on the occasion of seminars and workshops.
Direct personal contacts with the numerous participants can also increase the international publicity of a member's carnival and/of town.
The organizers of the convention moreover, use these gatherings to show the participants a few tourist attractions and places of interest of their town and the surrounding area.
The 11th October 1980 marks the founding of the FECC and it is observed by the FECC membership with a Dies Natalis celebration. This weekend gathering is hosted by a member city.
Also forthcoming
2012 32nd FECC Convention in Prilep
Macedonia
2013 33nd FECC Convention in Yambol
(Bulgaria
)
The structure is as followed :
The objectives are :
Masquerade ceremony
A masquerade ceremony is a cultural or religious event involving the wearing of masks.Examples include the West African and African Diaspora masquerades, such as Egungun Masquerades, Northern Edo Masquerades, Caribbean Carnival and Jonkonnu.-External links:* - slideshow by Life magazine*...
or parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
of a people's cultural identity. The General membership meets twice each year generally at the end of May and in October.
History
On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
(The Nederlands), Carnival Princes from all over the world met each other in the Amsterdam RAI congress centre in November 1975. The Amsterdam Carnival Association, governed by Mr.Henk van der Kroon
Henk van der Kroon
Hendrikus Ferdinandus Maria van der Kroon is the founder and president of the Federation of European Carnival Cities .-FECC involvement:...
was called “Amstelpieren & Brokkerijders.” The big event brought an unprecedented number of Carnival Associations from different countries together. The guests of honour included Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands
Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands is the third daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands...
as well as diplomats and dignitaries from afar including Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. This unique event is widely recognized as the starting point for the lasting contacts and exchanges between associations and cities that has become the FECC.
In 1980, international carnival associations met in Patras (Greece), again under the initiative of the Amsterdam Carnival Association Ämstelpieren & Bfrokkerijders. It is generally accepted that the FECC (Foundation of European Carnival) came into existence during this meeting. At the 5th reunion in Kos-Patmos (Greece), which took place in 1985, a membership was introduced and it was decided to drawn up rules and bylaws. The first countries that became a member of the Foundation were Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. Articles of association were formulated and the creation of FECC was registered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Directly following the 1987 7th reunion in Malta, the Belgian members founded their own section FECC-Belgium with its own governing board. In 1988 FECC-Germany founded their own section as did FECC-Netherlands and FECC –Luxembourg. The first elected International President was Mr. Henk van der Kroon.
Throughout the year the International President and other Board Members travel to member cities and interested Carnivals to learn, educate and often officiate at the ceremonies surrounding what is often the most important annual event for the community and even country. The FECC is a global organization holding its first annual convention outside the Mediterranean in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1987. Many Carnivals, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have grown up under the mentorship of FECC engagement. Since its founding, the FECC has been the only unswerving organization consistently speaking for the interests and concerns of Carnival organizations. Representatives from Carnival organizations in over 50 countries are members and annual conventions generally have several Mayors seeking ways to bring more international recognition and culturally oriented tourists to their festivals.
Annual Carnival City Congress
Once a year, all FECC members: cities, associations and individual members are invited to an international assembly. This convention is organized by a member-city and takes place every year in a different country.The convention lasts 1 week end takes place between end mid-May and mid- June. These conventions enjoy a lot of interest: every year, participants from more than 20 countries are present.
During these annual conventions, the members get an international forum which enables them to promote their carnival and their town on the occasion of seminars and workshops.
Direct personal contacts with the numerous participants can also increase the international publicity of a member's carnival and/of town.
The organizers of the convention moreover, use these gatherings to show the participants a few tourist attractions and places of interest of their town and the surrounding area.
The 11th October 1980 marks the founding of the FECC and it is observed by the FECC membership with a Dies Natalis celebration. This weekend gathering is hosted by a member city.
Conventions
| Year | City/Country | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 1981, 1st | Patras Carnival Patras Carnival The Patras Carnival, Patrino karnavali is the largest event of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. It has more than 160 years of history. The events begin on 17 January and last up to Clean Monday. The carnival of Patras is not a single event but a variety of events that includes... (Greece) |
17 Participants |
| 1982, 2nd | Syros (Greece) | 31 Participants |
| 1983, 3rd | Cephalonia/Zakyntos(Greece) | 66 Participants |
| 1984, 4th | Samos (Greece) | 35 Participants |
| 1985, 5th | Kos/Patmos (Greece) | 34 Participants |
| 1986, 6th | Kalymnos/Leros (Greece) | 31 Participants |
| 1987, 7th | Maltese Carnival Maltese Carnival Carnival has had an important place on the Maltese cultural calendar for just under five centuries, having been introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535... (Malta) |
48 Participants |
| 1988, 8th | Rep. Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados | 92 Participants |
| 1989, 9th | Sta.Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) | 102 Participants |
| 1990, 10th | Patras Carnival Patras Carnival The Patras Carnival, Patrino karnavali is the largest event of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. It has more than 160 years of history. The events begin on 17 January and last up to Clean Monday. The carnival of Patras is not a single event but a variety of events that includes... (Greece) |
130 Participants |
| 1991, 11th | Rosas (Spain) | 132 Participants |
| 1992, 12th | Aalborg (Denmark) | 131 Participants |
| 1993, 13th | Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) | 156 Participants |
| 1994, 14th | Norkopin (Sweden) | 102 Participants |
| 1995, 15th | Maltese Carnival (Malta) | 102 Participants |
| 1996, 16th | Maribor/Ptuj (Slovenia) | 81 Participants |
| 1997, 17th | Aruba (West Indies) | 116 Participants |
| 1998, 18th | Strumica Strumica Strumica is the largest city in eastern Macedonia, near the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing with Bulgaria. About 100,000 people live in the region surrounding the city. The city is named after the Strumica River which runs through it... (Macedonia)StrumicaCarnival |
78 Participants |
| 1999, 19th | Dubrovnik (Croatia) | 108 Participants |
| 2000, 20th | Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is held each February in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the largest of the Canary Islands, and attracts people from all over the world. It is considered the second-most popular and internationally-known carnival, after the one held in Rio de Janeiro... (Spain) |
229 Participants |
| 2001, 21st | Saint Petersburg/ Pskov (Russia) | 244 Participants |
| 2002, 22nd | Krakow (Poland) | 184 Participants |
| 2003, 23rd | Ovar (Portugal) | 252 Participants |
| 2004, 24th | Pernik (Bulgaria) | 132 Participants |
| 2005, 25th | Nadur Carnival Nadur Carnival Nadur Carnival is unique among the many manifestations of Carnival.It is not one organized by any committee and subsequently no rules apply. Sunset invites a multitude of masked and hooded creatures to throng the streets of Nadur - creatures wearing all kinds of funny and grotesque costumes.Nadur... , Gozo (Malta) |
450 Participants |
| 2006, 26th | Novi Vinodolski /Rijeka Carnival Rijeka Carnival The Rijeka Carnival is held each year before Lent in Rijeka, Croatia. It is the biggest carnival in Croatia. In 2008 it celebrated its 25th anniversary.- History :... (Croatia) |
320 Participants |
| 2007, 27th | Sousse (Tunisia) | 395 Participants |
| 2008, 28th | Ploermel (France) | TBA |
| 2009, 29th | Kotor Kotor Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality.... - Budva Budva Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality... (Montenegro) |
198 |
| 2010, 30th | Patras Patras Patras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens... (Greece) |
TBA |
| 2011, 31st | Vrnjacka Banja Vrnjacka Banja Vrnjačka Banja is a town, municipality, and a resort, mineral spa located in Raška District of Serbia. It contains the world's only hot spring with a temperature measuring exactly that of the human body .... (Serbia) |
TBA |
Also forthcoming
2012 32nd FECC Convention in Prilep
Prilep
Prilep is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Macedonia. It has a population of 66,246 citizens. Prilep is known as "the city under Marko's Towers" because of its proximity to the towers of Prince Marko.-Name:...
Macedonia
2013 33nd FECC Convention in Yambol
Yambol
Yambol is a city in southeastern Bulgaria, an administrative centre of Yambol Province. It lies on both banks of the Tundzha river in the historical region of Thrace. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 72,843 inhabitants. It is occasionally spelt 'Jambol'.The administrative centres...
(Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
)
Structure
The FECC is open to membership in the following categories :- a. Public bodies (municipalities, national art commissions etc.)
- b. Professional N.G.O.'s
- c. Amateur organizations
The structure is as followed :
- - International General Assembly
- - Presidium/ Board of Directors ( formed by national chairmen or representatives)
- - International Executive Board (term of administration is 3 years)
- - Audit Committee
- - Senators (advisers) formed by former board members and prominent persons
The objectives are :
- - exchange of knowledge concerning financing, fundraising and structures
- - consulting organizations
- - teaching and consulting construction of allegories floats
- - motivation techniques for volunteers
- - promoting carnival towards European institutions as cultural heritage
- - organizing an annual convention
- - collecting information concerning various carnival traditions
- - exchange-programs for clubs/bands , especially youth