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
Today is a historical moment in the frame of our relationship with the City of Thuin!
Unveiling ceremony of the sculpture offered by the FCI to the City of Thuin
© Oleg Boshkov
Rafael de Santiago (FCI President) and the FCI General Committee with the sculpture representing A Belgian Shepherd Dog – Malinois. The sculpture, casted by the Belgian sculptor and founder Luc De Blick, will from now on have pride of place on FCI head office in Thuin, the World Capital of Dogs.
© Oleg Boshkov
© Oleg Boshkov
We are very happy and excited to present to the city of Thuin, as a token of our appreciation and respect to this historic city, a piece by artist Luc de Blick.
This sculpture is a celebration of the long-lasting relationship between the FCI, the City of Thuin and its people, to honour the legacy of the FCI to the city and ensure the continued existence of our relationship for years to come.
The inspiration for the statue comes from the legend of St Roch and his dog.
Saint Roch is a very meaningful example for the people living in Thuin: he is not only the patron saint of the pilgrims and of many brotherhoods, but also the protector of animals. History tells us that he stopped in several Italian cities affected by plague to assist sick people in hospitals, as in Piacenza, where Saint Roch was himself affected by the disease. He then decided to retire to a forest nearby to avoid contagion.
The only living being to approach him was a dog: it would feed him every day, stealing bread from his owner’s table to bring it to Saint Roch. The owner, puzzled by the dog’s stratagem, decided to follow the dog into the forest and discovered the saint, injured, whom he could finally rescue. Saint Roch is generally represented with his dog, from which he never parts; this gave birth to the expression “they are both like Saint Roch and his dog”, to describe two persons inseparable from one another.
It is such a moving and compelling story that Thuin’s St Roch celebrations are included in UNESCO’s List of intangible cultural heritage and Register of best safeguarding practices.
We also honour one of our founding members and home country, Belgium, with the prominent figure of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, a loyal companion very well recognised around the world.
Mr Mayor, Mr Furlan, and all the representatives of the City of Thuin, it is my hope, that this magnificent piece of art will become a part of Thuin’s rich history and century-long patrimony.
Rafael de Santiago
President of the FCI