Finncon 2009

10.-12.7.

2009-03-31 23:57
Jukka Halme

Blog

Welcome to the launch of the English language blog for Finncon 2009/Animecon VII event!

The time just keep disappearing somewhere and now this year’s con is really just around the corner. Gasp. This is our first of hopefully many English-speaking progress reports to give all of you non-Finns information of our event. Because of course you are coming to Finncon: George R.R. Martin! Alistair Reynolds! Adam Roberts! TARDIS! Heaps and heaps of interesting programming in three languages! Come to see and take part in the colourful cosplay carnival at the other end of our massive former cable factory, or wander to the other end of factory, grab a beer at the pub or sit yourself down in the fan lounge between program items. See, you want to come! But to business: what have we been planning, and what have we actually managed to get done so far:

We have a place and time! Finncon 2009/Animecon VII is taking place from 9th July to 12th July in Helsinki, at Kaapelitehdas in Ruoholahti. We have reserved all available spaces for the con from the huge Merikaapelihalli to small conference rooms Watti, Kela and Käämi and everything between. What makes our location - shall we say challenging - is that what we get is basically the walls and the roof. Everything else from chairs to AV technology has to be arranged by us ourselves. This is lots of work, but the place itself is very exciting, and its rooms and shapes really engage the imagination to come up with totally mad cap ideas for the con.

We have been managing the finances, which with the global financial crisis and looming recession hasn’t become any easier. The people responsible for grants are seeing application forms in their sleep, and people responsible for selling space in the hucksters room are furiously calculating square footages. As for the rest of you, may we remind you that buying supporting membership (€10) is a great way to help us to organise best con possible, just contact us at tukijasen@finncon.org.

The triumvir in charge of programming has been mulling over possible program items since the last Helsinki con in 2006, and he and his team have gathered an impressive pile of index cards full of interesting programming: panels, talks, interviews, debates, performances and even sports – funny, serious and seriously funny talk on all things science fictional whatever the medium. This year, along with the traditional emphasis on literature, we have tried to increase talk programming on manga and anime, and do some cross-over programming that would be of interest to both fandoms. Right about now it begins to be the time to start blackmailing contacting performers and slotting program items into the schedule – not an easy task. So if you have ideas for programs you like to see get in touch with programming as soon as possible – we are always on the look out for new ideas and you still have a chance to contribute.

As usual, Finncon also hosts a meeting of speculative fiction researchers on Thursday and Friday. If you are under- or post-graduate and interested in presenting a paper, take look at the CFP at here and contact Dr. Merja Polvinen at the University of Helsinki Department of English. The theme for the meeting is “journey”.

Information about accomodation and other more turisty things will hopefully be up on Finncon pages next week.

If you are thinking of joining us in July, and have questions, please feel free to contact us at 2009@finncon.org, or just comment on this post. We hope to see you in July!

On behalf of Finncon, Sari Polvinen

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