There are many levels of excitement that one can experience: just for fun, I like to put any upcoming happening into a rating system, ranging from one to ten. For example, a 1 may be when an extra biscuit is discovered in the bottom of the biscuit tin, and 10 being a holiday or trip away to a destination positioned towards the top of a bucket list.
My excitement bar meter rises towards the double digit level every three years, when the Olympics of magic takes place: the FISM World Championships of Magic.
This year, the contest is in Turin, having last taken place in Quebec in 2022 and Busan, South Korea in 2018 (which I had the pleasure of attending). Over the course of a week, the best magicians across the globe gather and compete for the biggest and most prestigious awards in the magic world.
Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM) is an international body coordinating dozens of national and international clubs and federations around the world, including the I.B.M. and the Magic Circle. Together, these clubs represent approximately 80,000 magicians from 50 countries and 110 member organizations.
FISM was founded in 1948 and has staged the championships ever since in different locations and counties. Organisations have the opportunity to bid for where the next contest will be held, with Turin being chosen to host the championships this year.
Prior to each world championships, various regions hold regional competitions that include FISM Europe, FISM Asia, FISM North America, FISM Latin America, FISM Africa and FISM Oceania.
Each member of FISM can sponsor a selection of acts to compete for their country and this year is especially exciting, as we have more than a few brilliant British acts taking part across the individual categories.
Having attended FISM since 1997 in Dresden, Germany, I first witnessed the passion from the attendees, the demanding high standard of the competition acts and the love for experiencing the best magic in the world.
A few years later, I had the opportunity to compete myself on stage at the FISM championships in 2012, and understand how much time, effort and dedication goes into the preparation for FISM, similar to how an Olympic athlete trains for their race.
So, it makes me feel exceptionally proud as a British magician to see how great team GB are looking
Really can’t wait to cheer them on this week….the excitement level may very well reach above 11!
FISM Italy 2025 – World Championship of Magic – July 14-19
