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The Coronavirus pandemic has imposed a ‘new normal’ on all our lives, and what we took for granted, the ability to meet with friends and to learn through conversation has been seriously hindered. Because of that, virtual meetings have become a necessity for many of us, as a substitute for meeting in person.
In many ways, it’s a poor second best. But, it has brought about a realization that virtual meetings do indeed have some positives, in that they allow the opportunity to meet with people, and gain insight that might never have been possible in the real world, where distances and costs can create insurmountable obstacles. With this in mind, the IAF is endeavoring to provide a series of presentations by experts in their field, for the entertainment and benefit of all.
The series began on the 21st of February, with a presentation by Karl-Heinz Gersman, in which he shared with us something of his long-term interest in the literature of falconry, as well as some of the treasures within his own library, which is almost certainly the most important falconry library in private hands today. Alongside his passion for historic falconry literature, Karl-Heinz is an excellent and well-traveled falconer, which gives him an almost unparalleled appreciation for the practical content of historic books and manuscripts.
On the 7th of March, one of the falconry world’s most significant hood makers, Steve Tait, shares some observations about his own journey in hood-making, and perhaps some useful advice for his contemporaries and those following in his footsteps. Steve has strived, perhaps more than any other, in a constant search for the perfectly fitting blocked hood, and it will be fascinating to hear more about that obsessive quest.
On the 21st of March, we get to visit Don Ryan, director of the Irish Hawking Club, who will talk about the history and development of falconry in Ireland. Many of us are aware of the Irish falconry of today, but Ireland's falconry history, even relatively recent history, shows a wide range of interesting specialisms, usually carried out with the utmost passion and energy.
On the 4th of April, we head off to the US, to meet with Kent Carnie, instigator of the Archives of Falconry in Boise, Idaho, and tireless supporter of falconry archives world-wide. Kent is undoubtedly one of falconry’s most familiar names, and whilst synonymous with the Archives of Falconry, he has a history of practical falconry going back many years, and friendships with an extraordinary array of falconers during that time. Conversations with Kent are a never-ending source of amazement and inspiration.
On the 18th of April, British falconer Mike Calvin talks to us from his new home in Australia and shares some of his experiences and observations about hawking, rehabilitation of injured birds of prey, and much else I’m sure. Mike’s obsession with falconry goes back many years, and his skills are appreciated by many around the world, as is his willingness to share some of what he’s learned along the way and his encouragement of others.
On the 2nd of May, we join IAF Vice President for Asia, Keiya Nakajima, in Japan, to learn something of the culture, history and heritage of Japanese falconry, and its application to the conservation of birds of prey. Keiya Nakajima is of course very well known within the IAF and the wider falconry world, and his knowledge, although shared quietly, is immense. Anyone with any question relating to Japanese falconry will find no better person to help.
New presentations will be scheduled at fortnightly intervals, covering as many aspects of falconry around the world as possible, and calling upon the huge pool of expertise at our disposal.
The IAF, with its affiliated clubs and organisations across the globe, can claim with absolute justification, to have within its ranks the greatest body of expertise in matters falconry and birds of prey, anywhere, and the opportunity to share some of that expertise, at a time when physical meetings are all but impossible, is one we must seize.
Initially, as we grapple with the logistics of managing the technology, ‘attendees’ will be invited to presentations, to ensure a knowledgable audience, to encourage interesting discourse, and to make presentations as relaxed and enjoyable as possible for speakers. However, the intention is ultimately to encourage interested participants from within the membership of IAF affiliated clubs.
At the end of each presentation, participants have the opportunity to ask relevant questions, which may be submitted in advance, or asked during the presentation, initially via the chat option. Each presentation listed above will take place at 5pm CET, and once interest in attendance has been declared, an email will be sent containing the Zoom link, prior to the meeting. All presentations will also be recorded, for archiving and future use, including, where appropriate, by other organisations.
It’s important that expert presentations are utilised for the greater benefit of falconry, and valued as they deserve to be. It only remains for me to thank those who’ve agreed to share some of their expertise through their presentations and those who’ve shown interest in participating in them.
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