Conference. The 24th FISM World Championships of Magic (WCM) 2009 concluded successfully with Soma of Hungary winning the Close-up and Shawn Farquhar of Canada winning the Stage Final Contests staged in the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing, China. More than 2,500 delegates from 66 countries gathered at the CNCC for what was only the 2nd time in the history of International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) that the event had been held outside Europe. Arriving at the CNCC Eric Eswin, International President of the FISM, gave high praise on the venue which he said made attendees “immediately feel as ease” – a factor which helped make WCM 2009 become “one of the best” magic shows.

Starting on Sunday, WCM 2009 began with a unique Opening Ceremony featuring traditional Chinese performance. In the following six days there were more than 100 performances including Close-up Magic Shows, Stage Magic Shows – some of which were open to the public, Stage Magic Competitions and Close-up Magic Competitions as performers competed for the prestigious FISM GRAND PRIX and the title of World Champion of Magic 2009. www.cnccchina.com, www.fism2009.org