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Spring and Winter Conferences

We hold a Spring Conference and a Winter Conference each year.

Upcoming and recent venues include York, London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.

No fuss, no formality – just a warm welcome and a great time talking flags.

  • in person and online | varied programme | flags past, present and future | international speakers/audience | meet old friends and make new ones

AGM and Winter ’25 Conference

Saturday 15 November 2025, 10.00 to 15.30 GMT

FREE and ONLINE for FI members and friends worldwide.

The AGM will offer the chance for members to put their questions to the FI Council and vote on appointments.

Presentations announced…

On 22 June 1885 the Dublin Municipal flag was first flown over City Hall. The Irish Times described it as green, featuring a central yellow harp and three white castles on a blue field in one corner. The design combined elements of three earlier flags: the Green Harp flag, the Green Ensign, and the armorial banner of Dublin’s coat of arms. Until then, the armorial banner had served as the city’s flag. Its removal followed an incident on the night of 23 to 24 March, when it was stolen from the Mansion House, most likely by loyalist students from Trinity College. The theft was seen as a response to nationalist Lord Mayor John O’Conner, who declared in a speech that he would take down the flag if the Prince of Wales arrived in Dublin.

The new flag represented a shift in civic identity. It is still in use today as the official flag of Dublin City Council and flies proudly throughout the city.

  • Rotterdam and Papendrecht: Flag histories and protocols – Edgar Zaagsma, Papendrecht municipal official and Consul for the War Graves Foundation

This two-part presentation will focus first on the city of Rotterdam and then on the municipality of Papendrecht. In part one, Edgar will explore the history of the Rotterdam flag, the development of the city’s municipal coat of arms, and the presence (or absence) of Rotterdam’s colours in everyday life. In part two, he’ll turn to Papendrecht, offering a brief overview of its flag and coat of arms, with particular stress on the official flag protocol written for the municipality. Edgar will highlight how and why this local protocol differs from the national approach.

  • Raising respect: How the International Center’s Flag Program builds cultural understanding – Peter Kirkwood, Protocol Officer, The International Center

The Flag Program of the International Center’s Office of Protocol promotes cultural awareness, civic pride and international understanding through the proper display and care of national, state and organisational flags. Featuring a complete United Nations flag collection and a growing number of flags and banners, the Program serves as a resource for schools, community groups, state and local governments and visiting delegations. Peter will explore the Program’s history, outreach and alignment with global protocol standards. Showcasing flags as powerful symbols of respect and identity, he will highlight their enduring role in connecting nations and the communities of Central Indiana.

  • State Emblems in Greece, 5th–3rd Centuries BC – Jorge Hurtado Maqueda, President, Sociedad Española de Vexilología (SEV); presented by José Manuel Erbez, Secretary, SEV

Jorge’s presentation explores the use of emblematic symbols in Classical and Hellenistic Greece, examining how states expressed authority and identity through visual means during a formative period in ancient history. Structured in three parts, the study will review the surviving sources and the interpretive challenges they present, consider how state emblems were deployed in land warfare and naval conflict, and conclude with a comparative reflection on the symbolism of the Greek and Roman worlds. Rich in historical insight and analytical depth, this contribution from the SEV offers a fascinating perspective on early state symbolism and the origins of vexillological practice.

  • Armenian revolutionary flags: Photography and propaganda – Maxim Saakyan, founder of Uncovering Roots; Leo Torosian, law student and political staffer

Producer Maxim Saakyan worked on this story with Leo Torosian for Uncovering Roots, a podcast that covers untold stories and has been featured in the Guardian and on Spotify. When Leo started researching Armenian revolutionary flags, he found hundreds of photographs. Fighters posing with rifles, daggers and, almost always, flags. Not the kind you’d see flying at the Olympics, but flags covered in swords, slogans, skulls, crosses and dates, stitched by hand. These weren’t just battle flags, they were propaganda. Today, only a dozen or so of these flags have physically survived. The rest exist only in staged photographs, carefully posed and sent across borders to fundraise, recruit and inspire. Together, Max and Leo will demonstrate how flags became more than symbols; they became evidence of a movement fighting for survival, statehood and honour.

  • Pride Flags of today: Origin, metamorphosis and current designs – Heather Binnington, retired teacher from the York Region District School Board (Canada)

Where did Pride Flags begin? Where have they been, and what do they look like today? Heather will show how these continually evolving flags attentively adapt to the communities they serve and provide answers to the questions regularly asked about the Standard and Progress Pride Flags.

Past events

Spring ’25 Conference

Saturday and Sunday 17/18 May, Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ

Day 1 ended with President’s Drinks and a River Cruise and featured six presentations:

  • The Contested legitimacy of Croatian symbols in the Anglosphere, 1973–99 – Stephen Rayner

Between 1941-45 Croatia’s already well-established symbols – the chequerboard and red-white-blue tricolour – were used by the fascist Independent State of Croatia. Thereafter, the use of such symbols in diverse nationalist contexts caused recurring tensions among émigrés and diasporas, while wider academic and media interest peaked with the adoption of the current Croatian flag in 1990, the Yugoslav Wars and the 1998 World Cup. Stephen explored how the contested legitimacy of Croatian symbols in the Anglosphere is more complex and multifaceted than previously acknowledged.

Mike’s presentation documented the heraldry, vexillology, branding, insignia, and visual identity of civil aviation in the United Kingdom. Starting with the formation of Imperial Airways in 1924, his talk outlined the development of a brand identity through the posters, aircraft markings, flags and insignia of the companies that later formed British Airways. Mike charted the introduction in 1931 of the Civil Air Ensign that recognised civil aviation as a worthy flag bearer alongside the RAF and armed forces. He also discussed the livery and tailplanes of BA, British Caledonian, and the flag carriers of the 1970s and 1980s.

  • An Introduction to Flags and Sashes – Gustavo Tracchia FF, founding member of the Argentine Association of Vexillology (AAV), NYC commissioner of the Buenos Aires CIDEC Foundation

The presidential sash is a national symbol closely linked to vexillology, and Gustavo’s introductory study highlighted some eloquent examples of this unexplored subject. In Hispanic America, use of the sash was widespread in the early 19th-century independence struggles. In consequence, on becoming legally constituted states, many nations issued executive orders mandating the use of a presidential sash along with the other national symbols, and the practice continues to this day. Examples of the presidential sash in countries outside Hispanic America showed its influence in old and emerging nations alike. Finally, Gus examined the sashes used by the Argentine provinces, and their links with the related provincial flag and/or coat of arms.

  • Uniting under one banner: Designing a Flag for Planet Earth – Oskar Pernefeldt (President), IFOPE–O

Oskar Pernefeldt, designer of the International Flag of Planet Earth and President of its related nonprofit organisation IFOPE-O, is dedicated to promoting a flag that represents Earth – transcending national borders and political divides. As the flag’s awareness agency, IFOPE-O drives its adoption through outreach, collaborations, and advocacy. Mentioned in the EU Parliament, planted on Antarctica, and used by refugee movements, this flag showcases the power of vexillology to shape identity and inspire global action. 

  • Colours: Symbolism for medium of communication – Danladi Kole Bako, visual artist, founder of Bankoleart and VexDrum

Colours are a powerful, often subconscious, medium of communication, evoking emotions and conveying messages beyond words though their symbolic meanings can vary across cultures and contexts. Danladi’s talk covered the importance of colour symbolism, both outdoor and indoor; human vision and perception; colour intelligence and colour as a form of hierarchy; and, finally, colour symbolism in vexillology.

  • An Introduction to standards, guidons, colours, guns and truncheons – Geoff Parsons FFI, past Chairman of the Flag Institute

A former naval officer now lecturing on naval flags and signal flags, Geoff explained the difference between royal, heraldic and military standards, and the different types of flag carried by cavalry units, infantry units and other branches of the armed services. His presentation covered units such as the Royal Artillery whose colours are represented by their guns, and the Gurkhas who carry a truncheon. He also described the colours of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Day 2 featured two guided visits:

Winter ’24 Conference

Saturday 16 November 2024, 10am-3.30pm GMT, online.

  • Flags and emblems of the clans of Ireland– Francis M. O’Donnell GCMM GCEG KC*SG KM KCHS KCMCO BA (Hons) FGSI, President, Genealogical Society of Ireland & Michael P. O’Crowley BA MBA MA EMEA, Chair, Committee on Flags and Heraldry, Clans of Ireland

Although the origins of many Irish clans pre-date written history, this topic is new to the world of vexillology. While Irish clans differ from Scottish clans, both display traits of language, culture, customs and a deep attachment to locality – with ancestral lands bearing place names that memorialise clan mythologies and histories over centuries and maybe millennia. This presentation explored how these elements are captured, reflected and proclaimed vexillologically.

Pier Paolo introduced us to the various flags that have flown over the land of modern Libya and its three constituent regions: Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. The rich history of these regions is often overlooked, and their flags forgotten. Pier Paolo’s research draws on a wealth of documents – including contemporary accounts, historical analyses and official records – to shed light on the fascinating history of Libya.

The new state flag of Minnesota is the polished result of extensive design collaboration and deliberation. In this group presentation, all the contributors to the finished design offered their insider perspectives on the process: Andrew Prekker explained the rationale behind his initial design submission; vexillologists Ted Kaye and Brian Cham explained the role of their expert advice; finally, graphic designers Tyler and Jenae Michaletz outlined the changes and finishing touches that led to the final design. All contributors had a unique impact on the process and are keen to chronicle the evolution of the design to aid public knowledge and future state flag design efforts.

  • Urban symbols: The Role and relevance of flags – Tareth Peacock, Flags in Focus

Tareth has travelled through many cities in different countries, exploring the unique flags that represent them. His interest lies in understanding the historical and cultural significance of city flags, the reasons for their creation and the symbols they include. One discovery is the varying degrees of usage achieved by city flags, which has led him to question their relevance in contemporary urban life. What is the purpose of city flags and their impact on local identity and pride?

 Spring ’24 Conference

Saturday 18 May 2024, Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.

A sell-out audience enjoyed another day of great company and excellent talks:

  • A Flag for a polluted world: Antarctica Flag redesign proposal – Graham Bartram FFI FVAST, Chief Vexillologist, Flag Institute

Graham designed the flag for Antarctica in 1996 to symbolise its role as a hub for scientific collaboration, peaceful co-existence and nature conservation. Yet Antarctica now has another distinctive attribute – it is facing a serious threat from plastic pollution, which is harming its wildlife, its environment and its future. Graham’s presentation examined his proposed redesign of the Antarctic flag to highlight this escalating problem.

  • Flags of the Antarctic Territories and the southern regions of South America – Geoff Parsons, The Heraldry Society

Geoff reviewed the flags seen on his recent trip to an area rich in history and flag culture. Sailing aboard the MS Oosterdam, his destinations included Buenos Aires, Falkland Islands, Drake Passage, several Antarctic research bases, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel, Magellan Strait, Chilean fjords and Santiago.

  • Unravelling the Tino Rangatiratanga Flag (Māori Flag) through the eyes of its designer – Brian Cham, Flag Design Consultant, North American Vexillological Association

Designed in 1989, the Tino Rangatiratanga flag is the flag of the Māori people of Aotearoa New Zealand. It has come a long way from a napkin doodle to a national icon but has also garnered controversy. Brian talked with Linda Munn, its last living creator, to share her perspective on the flag and its story. Both contributors are proud to share this part of their homeland’s culture.

  • Flags and the law in England – John Cartledge, Flag Institute

In a preview of his forthcoming ICV30 presentation, John explored the main regulations and protocols governing flag design and use in England. Although there are some statutory requirements, in domestic and/or international law, most flag-related ‘rules’ in England are the product of tradition and common practice, which in some instances can be traced back for centuries and are derived from the medieval science of heraldry. This presentation focused on England because for constitutional and historical reasons, law and practice relating to flags differ in detail between the nations of the United Kingdom.

  • Interplanetary flag design: A new flag for Mars – Patrick Rennie, President, Mars Society UK

In this interactive session, Patrick Rennie introduced us briefly to the Mars Society UK, the current Mars flag and previous attempts to design one before we took a look at some new proposals and had a stab at our own redesign. 

Winter ’23 Conference

Saturday and Sunday 18/19 November 2023,  Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh.

We headed north for a very special weekend – our first conference in Scotland, our first 2-day event and our first collaboration with The Heraldry Society of Scotland.

Over 40 vexillologists – FI members, HSS members and visitors alike – enjoyed a feast of Scottish flags, heraldry and history.

Day 1 ended at the Royal Scots Club with a sell-out Presidents’ Drinks Reception and Dinner.

Also featured on the programme were:

  • Welcome: Councillor Robert Aldridge, Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh; Sheriff George Way of Plean, Carrick Pursuivant; Alasdair Hutton OBE TD OStJ, broadcaster, journalist, writer and narrator of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Kevin Greig, Fellow of The Heraldic Institute and The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; Fraser Thompson, Scottish Flag Trust, Sheila Collins, Ashfield (Trades House, Edinburgh), Philip Tibbetts, March Pursuivant Extraordinary and Flag Institute Communities Vexillologist; Graham Bartram, Flag Institute Chief Vexillologist

Day 2 featured two exclusive guided visits:

  • a morning tour of Trades House, led by Ian Robertson, Deacon Convenor of the Trades of Edinburgh
  • an afternoon tour of St Giles Cathedral’s fabulous Thistle Chapel and banners, led by Elizabeth Roads, Secretary of the Order of the Thistle

Spring ’23 Conference

Saturday 29 April 2023, Victory Services Club, London

  • Choosing a flag for the Cretan state –Mick McTiernan, military historian
  • The new Utah state flag – Erik Nystul, Utah State Flag Task Force
  • Flying high at St Patricks: Conservation during Covid – Rachel Phelan, textile conservator
  • From checkerboard to tricolor: Development and use of the Croatian coat of arms and flag throughout the centuries – Dr Mario Jareb, Croatian Institute of History and Matica Hrvatska

AGM and Winter ’22 Conference

Saturday 19 November 2022, Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Spring ’22 Conference

Saturday 23 April 2022, David Game College, London.

AGM and Winter ’21 Conference

Saturday 20 November 2021, People’s History Museum, Manchester

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