The Olympics of Magic 2009

In a few hours’ time, I will be departing for Beijing for the 24^th FISM 2009 (26 – 31 July), hosted by the China Magic Art Society. FISM is an abbreviation of Federation Internationale des Socits Magiques (International Federation of Magic Societies) founded in 1948. It is the international body bringing together the world's leading magic societies. The Federation today consists of over 80 clubs, both national and international, as well as national federations, which represent nearly 50,000 Magicians from 41 countries.

Every three years, an international contest is held to select the best-of-the-best. It is equivalent to the Olympic Games of magic; mostly, professional magicians take part and they undergo a rigorous national-level selection.

I am the current Vice-President of the Singapore Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). IBM Ring115 is a 59-year-old magic club started in Singapore. It is, essentially, a club comprising amateur magicians, magic collectors, and a few professional magicians. Our membership includes PMETs, industry leaders, teachers, lawyers, engineers, and students. It is also with pleasure that I will meet our President, John Teo and several members of our Management Committee there. We will be treated to magic lectures, demonstrations of new illusions, magic contests and shows. The contests will be the most exciting part of FISM as there will be abundant displays of national pride.

Singaporean professional magician, Jeremy Pei will compete in the Parlour Magic category; at last count, he has won about 23 different magic awards since he was 13 years old. He is renowned for his stage and close-up acts, which have bagged him some championship titles; I am keeping my fingers crossed for him at FISM. Street-magician Charlie Caper, from Sweden competed with Jeremy in the IF Convention in 2005 and lost to Jeremy for first place. Another Singaporean, Nique Tan was third; Charlie was runner-up. This should be an interesting match-up. Incidentally, Charlie won Sweden’s Got Talent this year. Past-Asian winners in FISM have come from Japan, Korea and China.