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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.

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

Spring Conference 2025

Saturday 17 May, Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ

  • 11am–6pm: presentations (see below)
  • 7pm: President’s Drinks and River Cruise

Sunday 18 May

The Saturday conference programme featured the following 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 who now lectures mainly 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.

Past events

Winter Conference 2024

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

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

  • Tareth Peacock, Flags in Focus: Urban Symbols: The Role and Relevance of Flags

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 Conference 2024

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:

  • Graham Bartram FFI FVAST, Chief Vexillologist, Flag Institute: A Flag for a Polluted World: Antarctica Flag Redesign Proposal

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.

  • Geoff Parsons, The Heraldry Society: Flags of the Southern Regions of South America and of the Antarctic Territories

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.

  • Brian Cham, Flag Design Consultant, North American Vexillological Association: Unravelling the Tino Rangatiratanga Flag (Māori Flag) through the Eyes of Its Designer

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.

  • John Cartledge, Flag Institute: Flags and the Law in Engand

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.

  • Patrick Rennie, President, Mars Society UK: Interplanetary Flag Design – A New Flag for Mars

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 Conference 2023

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 Conference 2023

Saturday 29 April 2023, Victory Services Club, London

  • Mick McTiernan, military historian: Choosing a Flag for the Cretan State
  • Erik Nystul, Utah State Flag Task Force: The New Utah State Flag
  • Rachel Phelan, textile conservator: Flying High at St Patricks. Conservation during Covid
  • Dr Mario Jareb, Croatian Institute of History and Matica Hrvatska: From Checkerboard to Tricolor: Development and Use of the Croatian Coat of Arms and Flag throughout the Centuries
  • https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flag-institute-spring-2023-conference-tickets-542987970637

AGM and Winter Conference 2022

Saturday 19 November 2022, Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Spring Conference 2022

Saturday 23 April 2022, David Game College, London.

AGM and Winter Conference 2021

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

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