The International Federation of Variety Artists (IFVA) was a global union federation bringing together trade unions representing entertainers other than musicians and actors.
History The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) organised a World Congress of Intellectual Workers in Brussels in 1951, and the idea for an international organisation of trade unions of variety artists arose. This led to a conference in Hamburg in 1952, at which the secretariat was established. Despite the ICFTU's role in its establishment, the IFVA did not affiliate to it, and instead worked closely with the independent International Federation of Musicians and International Federation of Actors (FIA).
One of the smallest international trade secretariats, by 1960, the IFVA had affiliates in five countries, with a total of only 4,045 members. In 1970, the federation merged into the FIA.
Affiliates In 1960, the following unions were affiliated to the federation:
Union Country Affiliated membership Danish Artist Union Denmark 200 Norwegian Artists' Association Norway 20 Swiss Artists' Lodge Switzerland 125 Union of Artists, Media Workers and Freelance Workers Austria 1,200 Variety Artistes' Federation United Kingdom 2,500
Leadership General Secretaries 1952: Rudi Roeters 1950s: Robert Zagar
Presidents 1952: Willi Feldmann 1950s: Willy Manley 1960s: Vic Duncan
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