One of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale’s greatest achievements throughout its hundred years of history has been to establish itself as an inclusive, modern organisation with a truly global scope. We have got where we are today by working closely with our members who, together, are constantly looking out for the well-being of dogs worldwide.

In the same way as the world’s largest international organisations, the FCI found a base and then turned it into a home. More than 60 years ago, the city of Thuin opened its doors to our organisation and since then it has witnessed our development and growth. Even more importantly, the city and the people who live there have become our allies in protecting and looking after the world’s dogs.

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Rafael de Santiago
President of the FCI
March 20th, 2015 - FCI New Offices Inauguration Ceremony
FCI President’s address on the occasion of the inauguration of FCI new extended building in Thuin
© Oleg Boshkov

First of all I would like to thank Mr Yves De Clercq, the FCI Executive Director, Ms Marie Luna Durán, and all the FCI Staff for their dedicated efforts on organising this marvellous activity.

I would like to express, on behalf of the FCI General Committee and all FCI members, our deepest gratitude to the Mayor of Thuin, Mr Paul Furlan, for receiving delegations from around the world and supporting the FCI.

Let me also extend our gratitude to the other representatives of the City of Thuin and of the City of Charleroi, its deputy Mayor, Mrs Daspremont. In addition, I extend a warm welcome to the representatives of the “Prince Laurent’s Foundation”, a major actor on the animal scene in Belgium and abroad. Last but not least, of course, a warm welcome and thanks to our President of Honour, Mr Hans Müller.

62 years ago the most important canine organisation in the World made of this historic and emblematic Greco-Romanian city its home. Since 1953 the City of Thuin has witnessed the evolution and growth of the Federation Cynologique Internationale, and most importantly our commitment to protect and preserve dogs worldwide.

During the early years of the FCI, it was decided by our founding members that the General Secretariat of the organisation would always be located in the country of residence of the Secretary General (now Executive Director). During the early years of the history of the FCI, the organisation’s offices were located at the Secretary General’s residence.

In 1953 Charles Gendebien moved the FCI General Secretariat to the city of Thuin, specifically to Avenue Leopold II, just a few blocks from here.

We have come a long way since 1953 and the people of Thuin have been our closest partners and supporters, into becoming a worldwide organisation with presence on all continents, and growing from 22 members when we arrived to the city to 90 members from all corners of the World.

Thuin is a representation of how cultures unite cultures. Thuin without question is truly the World’s Capital of Dogs. Thank you Mr Mayor, for your commitment and support of the FCI and of dogs worldwide.

The journey on becoming the World’s most important canine organisation brought the necessity of acquiring our own headquarters. In 1993, under the leadership of President Mr Hans Müller, the FCI bought its own building. Located in the historic center of Thuin, across an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Place Albert 1er, number 13, became the FCI’s official address and the epicentre for cynology worldwide.

Five years later, and after considering the constant growth and development of our federation, the FCI bought the adjacent building. Great things have happened inside this building since that date. We have taken the FCI to the 21st century, with state-of-the art technology which benefits our members, and therefore countless of dogs owners around the world.

In 2011, as we celebrated the FCI centenary, the General Committee approved the acquisition of the vacant lot behind the main office. After deep consideration on the use for this valuable property, the construction began in 2014. This new extension will feature a state-of-the-art conference room capable to accommodate up to 60 persons, expand the FCI capacity for the upcoming years.

This new building, which we are inaugurating today, will also accommodate the FCI Dog Museum and Library which displays the FCI art collection, a collection with art pieces from all over the world. Most importantly, the space will be an educational and research centre for studies of the history, evolution and future of dogs.

This building will serve well the FCI as we keep taking this important organisation into new paths and challenges. Nevertheless, this building is much more that all that. This building represents collaboration, this building represents commitment, this building represents history and most important, this building represents our love for dogs. The love for dogs, which is equal in every country. This building represents our respect and devotion for our companion and best friend. This building hosts the institution that swears to protect and defend our unconditional partner.

FCI’s investment on this well-planned infrastructure is an investment on our beloved dogs, an investment on cynology and an investment on our future. It also shows our long-lasting loyalty to the City of Thuin.

This infrastructure will allow us to develop the FCI initiatives such as the FCI Youth, scientific exchanges with universities around the world and to support and record the good work of the FCI Commissions. This new space will allow us to grow into the future and continue our plans of adding new members to the FCI, expand our educational programmes, improve our presence on the web and insert us into international conversations as the dog’s most important supporter. Needless to say that all these projects will become reality only with your help and cooperation. The FCI exists through and thanks to its members.

Above all the administrative, historic, scientific work done by our excellent staff, this building will allow our members to collaborate closely for the benefit of dogs, exchanging information and experiences in common situations that affect our dogs and their owners.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise a brilliant man’s vision, a vision without which the FCI would still be at our first location in Thuin: President Hans Müller. For so many years President Müller led the FCI with passion and determination. His leadership allowed the FCI to grow into a financially strong, reliable and truly global organisation.

For this reason, for his years of service to the FCI and as a legacy of his efforts, today March 20th, 2015, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale is honoured to name this new room as the Hans Müller Room.

Rafael de Santiago
March 20th, 2015

© Oleg Boshkov
The new FCI extension-building hosts, among others, a conference room, a library and a Museum.
© Oleg Boshkov
© Oleg Boshkov