A Brief History of the FFAP
June 26, 2026
While the Fédération Française des Artistes Prestidigitateurs (FFAP) is in the midst of overhauling its visual identity and name, we thought it would be interesting to revisit the history of this federation... which wasn't always one!
It all began in 1903, the founding date of the Association Syndicale des Artistes Prestidigitateurs (ASAP), then chaired by Agosta Meynier (1861-1942). He would lead the association until 1928, when he was replaced by Henri Maurier (1865-1949).
Agosta Meynier (Credit: Centre de Recherche sur la Prestidigitation)
Following this change of presidency, Agosta Meynier decided to create the International Union of Magicians (SIAP) on his own.
Continuing its evolution, the ASAP saw a change in its president in 1941. Henri Maurier was no longer at its head, but now Doctor Jules Dhotel.
Jules Dhotel
In 1944, the SIAP and ASAP reconciled and finally merged to form the AFAP (Association Française des Artistes Prestidigitateurs ). Jules Dhotel was appointed president of this newly created association.
ASAP membership card (Credit: Centre de Recherche sur la Prestidigitation)
It was not until 2004 that Guy Lamelot transformed the association into a federation, so that the AFAP became the FFAP: the Fédération Française des Artistes Prestidigitateurs .
In 2024, the federation is expected to see new changes appear, both for its logo and its name, exchanging FFAP for FFAM for the Fédération Française des Arts Magiques . A lively debate is taking place in the magic community about this change, only time will tell if the federation changes its name again, or if it will remain FFAP for some time to come!
If you enjoy this kind of anecdote, feel free to browse our blog , or consult our magic history books which are full of such anecdotes !
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