FISM 2018 - Busan, South Korea ?

[CraigMitchell]

Busan, South Korea is bidding to host FISM 2018 ... their bid book is now available:

http://fism.org/web/fism2018busan.pdf

[Q. Kumber]

Good for them. I hope they get it.

[Richard Kaufman]

The next FISM will most likely be held in Finland.

[CraigMitchell]

I look forward to seeing Helsinki's bid - but the last I heard they were wanting to cut short FISM and make it one day less ... not the most popular of ideas

[Matthew Field]

I lived for a year in Finland. Helsinki has a lot to offer.

Matt Field

[Q. Kumber]

It's amazing how these things get decided before the voting. It was the same last time with Italy.

[Richard Kaufman]

It has not been decided before the voting. I am merely reporting the rumblings I've heard from various people, i.e., Finland's proposition looks more attractive, the Korean contigent (while united the last time they proposed) has now fractured because of poor relations between the various clubs or entities, and ... many people do not want FISM to go outside Europe again so soon.

[AJM]

I'd happily go to either Finland (many types of herring) or South Korea.

I've never been to a FISM.

Andrew

[CraigMitchell]

A major negative to the Busan bid is the distance between hotels & the convention centre - with the majority of them requiring delegates to take the subway.

Having hotels within general walking distance is much preferred ...

[CraigMitchell]

News from Helsinki

"Finland Gears Up Towards FISM WCM 2018!

As informed in the previous FISM Newsletter, Finland has recently intended to reduce the duration of the convention from 6 to 5 days and hence reduce the number of competitors both in the Stage and Close-up Competition.

Since the FISM Statutes declare that the total number of presentations should be 150, we have reconsidered the importance of competitions to the FISM tradition and instead intend to rebalance the number of Stage and Close-up Competition slots.

Kim Wist, the head of the FISM 2018 Finland Team, a professional magician and the President of the Finnish Magicians Association clarifies: ”We suggest a better balance between Stage and Close-up Competitions. Since the modern trend favours Close-up performances, we propose to even out the competition slots between the two forms of magic in the following manner:
Stage Competition: 85 competitors (previously 100 competitors)
Close-up Competition: 65 competitors (previously 50 competitors)”

The above suggestion, in our opinion, would be a great improvement to FISM competition standards in modern times and this would also make the Statutes more flexible for now and for the future. In order for the change to take place, we need the delegates to accept this adjustment.

Kim Wist continues: ”To help the competitors to maintain the FISM standard, and thus ensure the spectators a high quality competition, we wish to offer the possibility for the competitors to do their first onsite rehearsals even before the opening day of FISM WCM 2018. After all, it could possibly be one of the most important performances in a magician’s life!”

”We want the most deserving and best possible competitors to perform at FISM WCM 2018 in Finland. Therefore, we announce our design to sponsor the participation of the Continental Champions by waiving their registration and competition fees – a complimentary entry for both the Stage and Close-up Champions”, Kim Wist concludes.

Christian Engblom, a member of the FISM 2018 Finland Team and a professional Close-up Magician with extensive experience performing in large theatres, states: ”We promise to make sure that the Close-up Amphitheatre will fulfil the requirements from both the performers and spectators point-of-view. All Amphitheatre capabilities for a successful Close-up Arena are already available and in-house at the venue, Messukeskus.”

Last but not least: Jorge Blass, who is a prodigy from Spain, has agreed to act as the producer and director of all Stage Galas in FISM 2018 Finland. And we all want better Galas – don’t we?

The bid book of FISM 2018 Finland is currently being finalised and it will be sent to you shortly after remaining adjustments."


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Re-balancing close-up vs stage competitors is one thing - but reducing the length of the convention makes zero sense. Helsinki are shooting themselves in the foot before they even start ...

[John McDonald]

That is either 2 pearls or four

and I think drinkable tap water and fresh air are both equally important.

[Richard Kaufman]

I am all in favor of a 5 day convention. Six days is WAY too long. I've always felt that way.

There are always too many contestants in the stage competition, and there are certainly several dozen who don't deserve to even walk on the stage.

I would keep the number of close-up contestants at 50, and cut the number of stage contestants to 50. That's more than enough to cover those who deserve to compete at this level.

[Robert Stacher]

"Finland, Finland, Finland
The country where I want to be
Pony trekking or camping
Or just watching TV
Finland, Finland, Finland
It's the country for me."

(c) Monty Python

[CraigMitchell]

The Helsinki Bid Book is now available

http://www.fism2018finland.com/FISM_201 ... d_Book.pdf

[Richard Kaufman]

It appears that whichever country is awarded FISM 2018, most people will be taking transportation of some sort to get from their hotels to the venue.

[Bill Mullins]

many people do not want FISM to go outside Europe again so soon.

Has FISM ever been held in the United States? Is it simply a matter of custom that it doesn't come here, or is it something in FISM's bylaws or rules that prevents it?

[Richard Kaufman]

FISM in the United States would have to be hosted by one of its member entities: the IBM, SAM, or The Academy of Magical Arts. There was an attempt to make the combined IBM/SAM convention held in Louisville some years a go a FISM, but no agreement could be reached.

I think it is highly doubtful there will ever be a FISM held in the US.

[John McDonald]

That is a shame

[CraigMitchell]

I would love to see FISM in the USA one day.

FISM is intended to be a global organization - and is slowly moving towards fulfilling that obligation. Who knows ? Maybe come 2021 FISM will descend on the USA for a week of magic ... we can live in hope

[F.Amílcar]

Dear friends,

Many magicians in Spain wish that F.I.S.M. 2018 could be in Finland.

Next Mational Congress we will decide our vote.

Thanks for the information.

Truly yours,

F. Amílcar Riega i Bello.