The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) has already started the preparation for the 2021 World Hunting and Nature Expo. At the Fishing, Hunting and Arms International Exhibition (FeHoVa) in Budapest, which took place from February 9 until February 12, 2017, the CIC showcased the African spirit with an interactive stand with the theme Keep Calm and Let Africa Speak!. The aim of the chosen topic was to bring the African continent closer to the visitors, to raise awareness about wildlife conservation issues, and to highlight the CIC’s work in the field of the sustainable use of wildlife and wild lands, mainly in those African countries where the consumptive use of wildlife provides vital income for the survival and expansion of conservation efforts. Until the World Expo in 2021, every year the CIC will introduce hunting and wildlife conservation around the world.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, Dr. Zsolt Semjén indicated that the World Hunting and Nature Expo 2021 is the first exhibition in Hungary celebrating the 50th anniversary of the World Hunting Exhibition which was held in 1971. Count József Károlyi was appointed as Commissioner for the World Hunting and Nature Expo 2021, thus he will be the responsible for the organization of the Expo 2021. It is already known that the event is planned to take place in three different venues, at the Hungexpo (Budapest’s Fair Center), at the Hatvan Hunting Museum, and at the completely renovated Budapest Zoo.
George Aman, President of the CIC, greeted the guests and participants of the FeHoVa, underlined the importance of unifying the hunting community, and invited the audience to visit the CIC’s stand. “Each year, from now until the 2021 World Exhibition, [the CIC stand] will focus on another continent. It has been said many times before, but Dr. Semjén and Commissioner Count Károlyi, you can be rest assured that the CIC is at your service as we prepare for 2021!”
World Hunting Exhibition in 1971
The largest hunting exhibition of all time was the World Hunting Exhibition in 1971, which was held in Hungary. The World Exhibition was organized from August 27 to September 30, 1971 in Budapest. The success and high international standards of the exhibition was proven by the presence of 52 countries from four continents’ (Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia), and the organization of national demonstrations in 35 countries. The “Hunting the world” event hosted representatives from 34 countries. Furthermore, the trophy presentation, where 118 of 18 different wild species from 19 countries were displayed. The 35-day event attracted more than 2 million visitors, of which more than 200,000 were foreign hunters and other guest.