ASFA, Associazione Sammarinese Foto Amatori, was established on November 12, 1980, by a group of photo-enthusiast friends.
It was legally recognised on December 18m 1981. During the same year, it was accepted in FIAP (Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique, with Headquarters in Paris), the only international photography organisation recognised by UNESCO.
ASFA has strived, and continues to strive, to further and promote photography in San Marino and abroad.
This is why the Association, amongst main initiatives:
- participated in the two-year FIAP Congresses in Reims (France) in 1983, Miltemberg (Germany) in 1987, Brussels (Belgium) in 1989, Vitoria Gasteiz (Spain) in 1991 – where the president Albano Sgarbi was elected member of the Board of Directors (still in office) – Driebergen (Holland) in 1993, Andorra in 1995, Shenzhen (China) in 1997, Thun (Switzerland) in 1999, Prato (Italy) in 2001, Budapest (Hungary) in 2004, Chengdu (China) in 2006, Zilina (Slovakia) in 2008 and Hanoi (Vietnam) in 2010;
- organised the 18th FIAP Congress (1985) in San Marino and the 18th FIAP Biennale for black and white prints, event where ASFA received the FIAP gold medal; for the occasion, the Republic of San Marino issued a special commemorative stamp;
- participated, since 1986, in 26 FIAP Biennales (World Cup) in Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Croatia, Finland, Japan, Germany, UK, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Hungary and Vietnam where San Marino, represented by ASFA, took home 1 gold medal, 2 bronze medals, 7 honourable mentions in addition to 3 special awards and 3 honourable mentions for single authors;
- organised, in association with the State Tourism Board under the artistic direction of Franco Fontana and technical direction of Albano Sgarbi, 8 editions of the “San Marino International Photomeeting”, international photography exhibits, cultural meetings and workshops held by famous photographers such as: Paola Agosti, Barbara Baker Burrows, Gianni Berengo Gardin, David Burnett, Renè Burri, Elisabetta Catalano, Florence Chevallier, Bruce Davidson, Mario De Biasi, Jeff Dunas, Rudy Faccin Von Steidl, Fabrizio Ferri, Larry Fink, Joan Fontcuberta, Danilo Frontini, Mauro Galligani, Ralph Gibson, Antonio Guccione, Pino Guidolotti, Frank Horvat, Eikoh Hosoe, Art Kane, Guy Le Querrec, Giorgio Lotti, Mary Ellen Mark, Duane Michals, Luciana Mulas, Rafael Navarro, Uwe Ommer, John Philips, Alberto Schommer, Angelo Schwarz, Ferdinando Scianna, Pino Settanni, Massimo Tosello, Pete Turner, Franco Vaccari and Christian Vogt;
- organised exhibits for all the abovementioned authors and for James Balog, Larry Burrows, Francesco Cito, Aldo Fallai, Franco Fontana, Mario Giacomelli, Gianni Giansanti, Nino Leto, James Nachtwey, Federico Patellani, Fulvio Roiter, Neal Slavin, Jhon Sexton, Tom Stoddar and Franco Zecchin;
- organised other important international exhibits such as:
- «Con lo sguardo sul mondo» (bishop Arturo Marchi, publisher Stanislao Farri),
- «FIAP/Kodak Award 1992-1993» (International group),
- «Fotografie d’Autore» (Alain Ricard collection),
- «Grandi Autori» (acquisitions for the Photography Museum of San Marino),
- «Italia: cento anni di fotografia» (Alinari Museum),
- «Phototransfert» (acclaimed group of authors – Franco Fontana collection),
- «Romeo Martinez International award» (editions 1985 and 1987, for portfolios);
- promoted exhibits and social contests, photography courses for children, video, dark room, digital photography and photography courses, technical refresher seminars, screenings and conferences;
- published photography books, calendars, articles and images in leading Sammarinese, Italian and foreign magazines; assisted in the publication of the photography book “San Marino e il gioco delle apparenze” by Franco Fontana. Stamps, phone cards, folders, tourist guides and postcards were also created with images taken by ASFA authors.
Partnerships were also formed with institutional boards and public offices in San Marino: Tourism and Sport Secretary of State, Public Education and Culture Secretary of State, Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State, Finance and Budget Secretary of State, State Museum, State Office for Tourism, Social and Cultural Activity Office, Stamp and Coin Office, Schools (Kindergarten, Elementary and Middle schools), Social Centres, Professional Training Centre, CONS, Phanatlon, Unions, Sports associations, Cultural associations and Volunteers, contributing, with their support, in the cultural and professional growth of ASFA.
