A century of blue eyes and white paws.
A hundred years cannot tell the whole story. Yet 1925 remains an important date in the history of the Birman and its place in the European cat fancy.
1925 is widely used as the year of the Birman’s early recognition in France. The breed’s development cannot, however, be reduced to one day. Our research follows the names, cats and people through sources from their own time, rather than relying only on later retellings.
In 2025 Birmakredsen marked the breed’s centenary. It also gave us a reason to look forward: how could we bring Birman enthusiasts together around both the history we inherit and the memories we create?
“A hundred years? That is generations of blue eyes, white paws and people slowly learning who truly owns the sofa.”Bimse
This year is traditionally associated with recognition of the Birman in France. The detailed sequence continues to be investigated in contemporary sources.
French breed-history sources describe Birmans at Paris cat shows in 1926. Names, images and studbooks offer valuable clues.
Birmakredsen marked 100 years of the breed. The celebration prompted discussions about a larger community event.
Following a breeder’s question and JYRAK’s positive response, a special Breed BIS day is planned for 21 November 2026 at MAGION.
The legend of the Sacred Birman belongs to the breed’s cultural history. Our research distinguishes legend, later accounts and verifiable evidence from original books, studbooks, catalogues and newspapers.
Birmakredsen began discussing a larger event. A breeder’s question and an enthusiastic yes from Susanne Wehnert at JYRAK led to plans for Breed BIS 2026.
Read how Breed BIS began →On 15 November 2025, Birmakredsen marked the centenary at the JYRAK cat show in Hedensted. The original celebration programme, prepared in September 2025, gives us a documented view of the plans for that day.
The original programme proposed the following activities:
Welcome from Birmakredsen and a short introduction.
Centenary speech and a shared toast.
Birman parade introducing the cats by name, age and colour variation.
Group photograph of Birman people and cats.
A shared table with cake, snacks, sparkling drinks and conversation.
Closing remarks and an invitation to share memories.
Conversations at this centenary celebration helped inspire an even bigger gathering for the breed: Breed BIS 2026.
Source: Birmakredsen centenary programme, dated 8 September 2025 (Birmakredsen archive). The programme documents what was planned; it does not by itself prove that every activity took place.
No photographs belonging to JYRAK or its photographers are reproduced here. The photographer and rights must be verified before any picture is published. Having a copy on Google Drive does not by itself grant permission to reuse it.
Source for the show dates and venue: JYRAK’s public archive. The centenary programme is preserved in Birmakredsen’s own archive. Catalogue and results at JYRAK ↗
In time we will collect verified anniversary posts, photographs, programmes and personal recollections. Images and names will be published only when their source, context and necessary permissions have been clarified.
The original programme and contemporary recollections are now documented here. Original photographs and further named accounts will be added only after source and rights checks.
The centenary is documented through the programme and the accompanying account. JYRAK photographs have not been copied; any future photo archive requires the relevant permission.
We are collecting personal memories from the centenary celebration at JYRAK in Hedensted on 15 November 2025. Tell us about a cat, a conversation, a happy moment or something else – with or without photographs.
These external overviews provide background to the early years. Birmakredsen continues to verify primary historical sources.