Sichuan Province Revisited 2006 - FIAP 28th Biannual Congress

The Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) is one of the leading societies of amateur photographers, whose members include some 85 national associations on five continents and represents the benefits of nearly one million individual photographers. Its 28th Bi-Annual Conference was held in Chengdu and Jiuzhai Paradise in Sichuan Province, China in September 2006. Norman Lau and I were among the some 350 attendees representing FAPA of Hong Kong and Macau The as Chinese organizing committee – China’s Photographers Association (CPA) also sent a large contingent.

Vertical Lines - rest area pagoda photo, Dujiangyan, Chengdu, Sichuan China Fully Grown Giant Panda - Giant Panda Breeding Center, Chengdu China. Street Musician Playing Erhu- Hunglongxi River Town, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Natural beauty of Jiuzhaigou Valley, a World Heritage Site in NE Sichuan Province, China The Smoke - The people of Loudai in glorious color - Chengdu, China Glorious Colour - Pipa Musician at 28th Biannual Congress, Century City Exhibition Center, Chengdu, China

While the well known phrase “You only get one chance to make a first impression” may be a bit trite by now, it was the first impressions caused by long long lines from the hotel check-in in Chengdu and continuing snafus during the visit that left – for some – a negative impression of China and the event. So much so that FIAP’s President Emile Wandershield, when giving his speech at the closing banquet limited his comments to “Remember the good things.”

Looking back on the Congress, it is indeed easy to remember the good things for they far outweighed the few inconveniences: from the helpfulness and bright smiles of the many volunteers, to the change to meet new and old friends among the attendees and the beauty of the wonderful places visited, the special events hosted daily on honor of FIAP – which made it a memorable experience for me personally – and I hope for most of the people who attended.

To view the places visited, click on the links below:

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Please note that all photographs and text appearing on this site are the exclusive intellectual property of Sam Stearman. No images are within the Public Domain, and no image use is permitted without the written prior authorization of the copyright owner. If you see any pictures you would like to buy, all the thousands of pictures on this site are available in high resolution digital format, suitable for framing, use in magazines or advertising. Email me if you would like to know more.