The history of FIA, the International Federation of Actors, is an amazing adventure that I have been honoured to live as President for the last 12 years. From the vision of two pioneers in the early fifties - Jean Darcante of the Syndicat National des Acteurs Français and Gerald Croasdell of British Actors’ Equity – to a truly international, independent and non-governmental organisation representing performers in all continents, FIA is today the voice of performers around the world. Our members are the trade unions, guilds and associations that work hard every day to ensure that performers can work safely, earn a decent living from their profession and the commercial exploitation of their talent, train to adjust to a rapidly changing environment, enjoy an adequate social protection and equal opportunities and be granted intellectual property rights on their performances.
At international level, FIA steps in and brings these same values to a higher ground, where the lobbying machinery is intricate, national interests are traded and rules are bargained to shape our daily life.
But FIA is not only an indispensable lobbying tool for all of us. It is, perhaps most importantly, a powerful heart for all its members, many of which have directly experienced the solidarity that has always been its trademark. Whether in the midst of industrial actions, facing sudden hardship, struggling against political regimes and in countless other occasions, the mutual support of our unions has been a critical asset for those members.
These pages will give you an idea of the ground that we have covered from 1952 until today. And while these contributions do not claim to be a truly historical reconstruction – as they finally aren’t but the perception of three of our General Secretaries - they certainly make a convincing impressionist painting of our journey.
I am grateful for their work in putting this together and pleased to introduce you to the earliest and recent past of the International Federation of Actors, hoping that you will enjoy reading about our history, much as we have enjoyed making it!
Yours in solidarity,
Tomas Bolme
President of FIA