ICV 27 - Speaker 21: Bruce Berry

 

Bruce spoke about the old green Rhodesian (Zimbabwe) flag and all the modern issues that follow.  Bruce's paper was entitled The Beloved Green and White - (White) Rhodesia's  [Modern day ZIMBABWE] Search for a Unique Symbol of Identity.  

Although Zimbabwe was the first 'white colony' to leave the Empire since the exit of the United States in 1776,  the story of its independence is topsy-turvy.  Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia was considered on the UK's most loyal subjects.  They were the first nation to declare war on Germany in 1939 during WWII, remember that the USA entered at the tail end of of 1941. 

The declaration of Rhodesia's independence was passed with Parliament of UK's consent.  On November 11, 1986 the first flag of Rhodesia was flown, the tribar of green-white-green with a coat of arms.  However many of citizens of black-Rhodesia were terribly upset and saw it as the 'White-man's flag.'   Eventually Rhodesia was of the few colonies to revert to the Union Flag of the UK in 1980 for a short while. 

Today, many of those persons of white heritage who lived though that turbulent era, look back with a  certain kind of fondness for the old green and white flag.  Most white Rhodesians (Zimbabwians) see it in nostalgic, non-extremist, almost friendly cultural sense. 

However many extreme white pride organizations have projected this flag as an inflammatory racist symbol.  This unfortunate reputation was further abounded when Dylan Roof perpetrated the mass murder at Charleston, South Carolina Church Emanuel African Methodist Church, on June 17, 2015.  Roof had photos of himself next to Confederate, South African, and the old green-n-white Rhodesian flag.   Sadly this flag's association with hatred and suffering was further ingrained in the collective mind. 

But surely as time passes, views of the flag will perpetually change. Perhaps its best to focus on the positive?

ICV 27 - Speaker 20: Marcel Van Westerhoven

Westerhoven spoke about, polderboard flags which are flags of local pumping stations that maintained dikes across the Netherlands.   Polderboards were mostly responsible for maintaining water quality control and regulating water flow.   His paper was entitled Polderboard Flags - a Requiem for a Dream.

An interesting fact that Westerhoven states was the popularity of the clover.  According to Marcel the clover often represented dairy farming, since clovers are a favorite item of dairy cows.  Consequently as the clover is a national symbol for Ireland, could this be part of the cause for its popularity in Ireland?  Although the story of the trinity is already set by St. Patrick, maybe dairy farming in Ireland had some influence?


Originally there were about 3500 active water authority pumping stations in the Netherlands in 1850, but now there are only 22 left. It was due to modern technologies that reduced the need so many "Pump-Board Hydrolic Stations." The older Polderboards used beautiful heraldic arms to represent their pumping stations, but modern day Polderboards use logos and 'ugly' logos on flags.   In the old style these flags typically had wavy lines to represent the water and many used the colour blue to indicate water. 

ICV 27 - 25th General Assembly FIAV

 

The fairly normal congressional meeting, of yeas and nays.  Nothing much to report but business as usual.  The most exciting news brought to the table was China's to host the ICV in 2023.  It was presented by Xinfeng Zhao.  Zhao was responsible for training China flag hoisting staff for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.  If China were selected he promised that everyday would be a new venue. 

However there was one dissenting voice, of Roman Klimes, who protested the politics of China and the situation in Tibet.  There was also some concern that China did not have a strong vexillological society, as Zhao's group was more of a patriotic organization, rather than academically focus group dedicated to vexillology.  Nonetheless, it nearly set that China will host the lovely 30th International Congress of Vexillology.

There was also one call to elect a new president of FIAV, that of Alfred Z as nominated by Roman Klimes

ICV 27 - Heraldry Society of Slovenia

The Heraldic Society of Slovenia presented the pitch to the congress to hose the 29th International Congress of Vexillology in 2021. 

It was a well presentation, with video, music, and splendid colours.  It would have made the current first lady proud, Melania Trump, since she is Slovenian.  In the photo above the Slovenians are holding the potential flag for the ICV 29?  Will it come true?  Only time will tell. 

ICV 27 - Speaker 19: Pluethipol Prachumphol

A short history of the Thai flag was given under the paper History of the Thai Flag.  Prachumphol also showed us that Thailand recently obtained the title for the world's biggest flag in 2016.  Since the Thai flag had reached its 100th year of use in its modern form, his group was responsible with creating worlds largest flag to celebrate its centennial.  Thus on November 30th 2016, Thailand became the nation with the largest flag in the world.  In the image below you can see the world's largest flag being hoisted on three flag poles.  His speaking partner is holding the Guinness World Record's certificate.

The Thai flag has undergone many changes. But the current flag was adopted with the middle blue stripe when the Thais entered on the side of the allies in 1917 during WWI, thus the flag you seen now is the flag modern flag of Thailand.

ICV 27 - Speaker 18: Ladislav Hnat

A plentiful discussion about political party flags were showcased.  Hnat's paper was entitled Party Flags, Colours and Logos in the 8th European Parliament. 

Hnat focused on the red rose, which has become a popular symbol of the socialist parties in Europe.  Even the UK's Labour party has a red rose in its flag, although the rose is deeply connected to the English history rather than socialism. 




Labour Party Flag Image
http://www.rogercee.com/labours-internal-war-raising-a-white-flag-killed-the-conservative-party-labour-must-keep-its-red-flag-flying/

ICV 27 - Speaker 17: Cedric de Fougerolle

Fougerolle spoke about the publishers book stamps from a vexillological perspective.  His paper was entitled Ex-Libris and Vexillology.  Those decorative labels on books typically are used to identify the owner.  But many times over a heraldic style coat of arms is used, often including flags.

Fougerolle broke up the these book marks into five different categories: patriotic, military, heraldic, maritime, and artistic.