The Global Gathering of Flag Enthusiasts
Every two years, vexillologists from across the globe gather for the International Congress of Vexillology (ICV), hosted under the auspices of the Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques — FIAV. These congresses are the premier gathering point for everyone from academic researchers and professional designers to passionate amateur collectors and historians.
If you have never attended an ICV or a regional vexillology event before, the prospect can seem a little daunting. What actually happens at these gatherings? Who goes? And what can you expect to learn and experience? This guide walks you through it.
A Brief History of the International Congress of Vexillology
The first International Congress of Vexillology was held in Muiderberg, Netherlands, in 1965, organised by pioneering Dutch vexillologist Whitney Smith and others. Smith — who is credited with coining the word "vexillology" — helped establish the congress as a recurring institution that would grow to attract participants from dozens of countries.
Since then, congresses have been held on every inhabited continent, in cities including Washington D.C., Melbourne, Vienna, Cape Town, and Stockholm. Each event is shaped by the host country's own flag culture and vexillological interests.
What Happens at a Congress?
Academic Paper Presentations
The intellectual core of every ICV is its programme of research papers. Participants present findings on topics spanning flag history, design analysis, heraldic traditions, political symbolism, flag law, and more. Papers are peer-reviewed and later published in congress proceedings, forming a growing archive of vexillological scholarship.
Topics at recent congresses have included the history of colonial-era flag changes, the design principles of effective sub-national flags, the role of flags in international sport, and the symbolism of newly adopted national flags.
Flag Exhibitions
Physical flag exhibitions are a highlight of any congress. Rare historical flags, reproduction standards, and flag collections from around the world are displayed, often alongside explanatory materials. Seeing flags in person — their scale, their fabric, their wear — communicates things that photographs simply cannot.
Design Workshops and Competitions
Many congresses include workshops where participants engage in flag design exercises — creating flags for hypothetical scenarios, critiquing existing designs, or exploring new visual approaches. These sessions are often the most energetically debated parts of the programme.
Some events include design competitions inviting participants to submit flag proposals for real or theoretical briefs, with results judged by experienced vexillologists.
Field Trips and Cultural Programmes
Host organisations typically arrange visits to local museums, archives, and sites of vexillological interest. These excursions place flag history in physical context — visiting the archive where a historic flag is stored, or the location where a famous historical event involving flags took place.
Regional and National Events
Beyond the biennial international congress, many countries have active national vexillological societies that hold their own annual meetings and symposia. In the United States, the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) holds annual conventions. Similar organisations operate in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and elsewhere.
These smaller events are often more accessible for first-time attendees and offer a more intimate environment for discussion and networking.
Tips for First-Time Attendees
- Read some background material beforehand. Familiarise yourself with basic vexillological terminology — hoist, fly, canton, charge, tincture — so that discussions make immediate sense.
- Bring something to contribute. Even if you are not presenting a paper, bringing a flag-related item of local interest — a regional flag, a historical reproduction, a document — opens conversations.
- Attend the social events. The informal conversations over dinner and in corridors are where many of the best vexillological discussions happen.
- Ask questions freely. The vexillological community is generally welcoming and enthusiastic about sharing knowledge with newcomers.
- Take notes on flag sightings. Host cities often go to great lengths to display flags from participant nations — a parade of international flags is itself a learning experience.
How to Find Upcoming Events
The FIAV website maintains a calendar of upcoming congresses and affiliated national society events. Subscribing to newsletters from national vexillological societies in your country is the best way to stay informed about regional gatherings, lectures, and exhibitions as they are announced.
A Community Worth Joining
Vexillology congresses are more than academic conferences. They are celebrations of a shared passion — for history, for design, for the remarkable human instinct to express identity through a piece of coloured cloth. Whether you come as a scholar, a designer, or simply someone captivated by flags, you will find a community ready to welcome you.