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The 23rd FISAE-congressin Istanbul, August 2010

Some criticism

I came home from the congress with a mixed feeling. As an ex-libris fanatic I had to acknowledge that the Turkishex-libris society had done everything it could to give the ex-libris world-wide attention. A group of motivated students and a series of sponsors helped Hasip Pektas to realize this objective. The congress shed a praising light on the local university and the booming Turkish ex-libris society. But it has to be added that the real signboard of this promotion stunt was formed by the many participants, because they invested their time and they paid the bill (for example of the expensive hotel and entry costs). In the meantime I have heard rumours that claimthat prof. Pektas’s organisation has made quite a few losses.

Even though my exchange harvest was very satisfactory, I was disappointed as a collector because the very strict organisation of the congress didn’t allow me to decide about my schedule. Furthermore, during the few free moments that were left to me, I was besieged by a group of very keen and very determined Chinese collectors. On the other hand, a congress organised by FISAE remains the perfect opportunity to meet collectors and artists from all over the world. For instance the presence of artists from Eastern European countries such as Bulgary, Russia and Ukraine was quite remarkable.

I was also frustrated as the leader of the Belgian delegation (even though I succeeded in getting the Belgian priorities on the agenda): every initiative the FISAE takes, has to go through a bureaucracy that excells in inertia. Seemingly the FISAE is not able to determine general rules, let alone impose them, even if they are necessary to give the ex-libris a chance to survive.

Quo Vadis FISAE ?

Without wanting to diminish the commendable efforts of the Turkish ex-libris society, I think it is necessary to call for some reflection upon the role of the FISAE and her selection of congress organisers. If I were the Finnish organiser of the next FISAE congess, I would be worried after noting the heterogeneous and unexpectedly poor participation in the Istanbul congress and after hearing about the Turkish financial problems. According to me,therelatively remote Finnish location – more specifically the town of Naantali-Turku - is even an extra handicap. The organisers will probably refrain from heavy investments, which will automatically have consequences for the quality of the congress.

Secondly, the European ex-libris is still the unquestioned favourite, also for the numerous Chinese collectors who were present in Istanbul; in fact we don’t have to travel far to discover a new exchange market. Even worse: the FISAE organisation is a serious competitor for traditional successful exchange meetings in Central Europe.

A third predicament is the investment problem. Regarding finances,the FISAE interferes in a direct and arrogant way, but doesn’t provide any meaningful help. That’s also a reason why the costs for the participants are running high, while those participants already have to deal with an enormous rise in prices for their exchange material. Consequently, choices will have to be made.

Finally, it has become clear that the role and certainly the authority of the FISAE is very limited. Her importance is only symbolic, a conclusion which is only confirmed by its restricted agenda and its scarce decisions.

Ex-libris collectors unite!

I don’t want to organise a coup or call for action against the FISAE, but I do want to make a plea for a new structure for international exchange gatherings.

In the first case I would like to recommend a better investment in existing meetings that are easily attainable, such as the initiatives of the German, the Tsjech and the Belgian ex-libris societies. I would also like to include the artistically exquisite meeting in Malbork.

Furthermore I’d like to suggest that other societies organising special events, such as jubilees and exhibitions, would turn these events into gatherings of two or three days. I think the Belgian congress of April 2008 (organised for the 50th anniversary of Graphia), is a good example. Financially those initiatives usually contain few risks for the organisers and most of the times they are quite affordable for the participants. Then the FISAE could combine her General Meeting (every two or five years) with one of these initiatives.

But first the FISAE management should question itself. And it is about time that the national delegations speak their minds about its role. Who remains silent now, is guilty of neglect of the threatened ex-libris. With this initiative the Belgian ex-libris world hopes to have taken a first step towards action.

Jack van Peer

PresidentGraphia vzw