Federation of European Carnival Cities

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.

History

On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam (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.

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 11 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 (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 (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 (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 (Macedonia)StrumicaCarnival 78 Participants
1999, 19th Dubrovnik (Croatia) 108 Participants
2000, 20th Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) 229 Participants
2001, 21st Saint Petersburg/ Pskov (Russia) 244 Participants
2002, 22nd Kraków (Poland) 184 Participants
2003, 23rd Ovar (Portugal) 252 Participants
2004, 24th Pernik, Bulgaria 132 Participants
2005, 25th Nadur Carnival, Gozo (Malta) 450 Participants
2006, 26th Novi Vinodolski /Rijeka Carnival (Croatia) 320 Participants
2007, 27th Sousse (Tunisia) 395 Participants
2008, 28th Ploermel (France) TBA
2009, 29th Kotor- Budva (Montenegro) 198
2010, 30th Patras (Greece) TBA
2011, 31st Vrnjacka Banja (Serbia) TBA

Also forthcoming

Structure

The FECC is open to membership in the following categories:

The structure is as follows:

The objectives are:

References

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