Sanna Koulu – Finncon 2013

Con was pretty much a success!

Sanna Koulu — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:02:26 +0000

It’s Monday evening, and Kaapelitehdas is returning to its normal daily rhythms. Finncon 2013 has been dismantled, and us organizers at least are tired but happy – from our point of view, it was a wonderful con, and we’d like to thank you all for being part of it!

We reached our goal in number of visitors quite nicely: there were a total of 10 595 attendees at program items, corresponding with 7 000 visitors. The atmosphere on site was relaxed and summery. The inner yard quickly turned into part of the con area, with spontaneous program and strawberries included. Despite the sunny weather even the basement rooms still had plenty of participants for program items.

You can find pictures from Finncon in e.g. Sanna Pudas’ costume photo set and Henry Söderlund’s FC tumblr.

Next year we will meet in Jyväskylä! For the time being, the symptoms of Finncon withdrawal can be managed by reading e.g.

Mythotopes (Stefan Ekman)
No Moods, Ads or Cutesy Fucking Icons (Re-reloaded) (Peter Watts)
Bright, Dusky, Bright (Caitlin Sweet)
Cheryl’s Mewsings (Cheryl Morgan)
Aliette de Bodard

We would love to link up other con reports as well – please toss us a mail at tiedotus@2013.finncon.org. For lost and found, you can contact info@2013.finncon.org.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to extend warm thanks to all our sponsors and supporters.

Hall cosplay awards!

Sanna Koulu — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 13:34:25 +0000

During the Finncon closing ceremonies awards were given out to the most impressive hall cosplay costumes of the con. A lot of people had turned up in wonderful costumes, so the panel had a difficult choice to make. In the end, the following three costumes were given awards:

Zelda / Kia Selonen
Harley Quinn / Jenny Teerikangas
Minbari / Mari Ruutinen

In addition, three costumes received honorary mentions:

Princess Merida / Tiia Kiljunen
Lightning / Roope Rimpiläinen
Erza Scarlet / Jenny Uotila

The winners will receive a trophy and a t-shirt, while the honorary mentions will be given chocolate in addition to fame and glory!

See the costume pics on Flickr!

New stuff! Yay!

Sanna Koulu — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 10:13:54 +0000

There’s new stuff on the movie front at Finncon — indie films start at Käämi at 3pm!

3 to 5.00 pm : Star Wreck 2π: Full Twist, now! & Making of
After the film: talk, QA, guests Timo Vuorensola and Pete Vesterbacka
5 to 7 pm : Season of the Villain
7 to 7.30 pm : Place to stay

Coffee klatsches at the con!

Sanna Koulu — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 08:39:09 +0000

Now is a good time to sign up for the coffee klatsches at the con! A klatsch provides the opportunity for an informal chat and and a cup of coffee or tea with our wonderful writer guests! The klatsches will be held on the Merikaapelihalli loft, next to the fandom lounge, at the following times:

J. Pekka Mäkelä: Saturday, 1 to 2 pm
Mats Strandberg & Sara B. Elfgren: Saturday, 4 to 5 pm
Aliette de Bodard: Saturday, 5 to 6 pm
Peter Watts: Sunday, 11 am to noon

You can sign up for the klatsches now at the info desk – there are still several places left for each klatsch!

Signings will also start today at 1 pm, in Merikaapelihalli:

Peter Watts: Saturday, 1 to 1.30 pm
J. Pekka Mäkelä: Saturday, 2 to 2.30 pm
Sara B. Elfgren and Mats Strandberg: Saturday, 5 to 5.30 pm
Aliette de Bodard: Sunday, noon to 12.30 pm

Finncon in pictures

Sanna Koulu — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 12:20:51 +0000

First pictures of Finncon 2013 are now at http://finncon2013.tumblr.com/ — there’s more to come, so stay tuned!

Photographs by Henry Söderlund.

St.Urho’s on Thursday from 6pm onwards

Sanna Koulu — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 09:32:33 +0000

Want to meet SF people today, before the con starts? Come to the SF Mafia in St. Urho’s (Museokatu 10, near the parliament building) for an informal evening out with people! People will quite likely start gathering in St. Urho’s around 18:00, with the place in full swing for the evening.

Meet space available

Sanna Koulu — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:03:17 +0000

Do you want to set up a meet at Finncon with your club or group of friends? There will be space for meets of up to 20 people in the fandom lounge. Currently there are one hour slots available as follows:

Friday noon to 1pm, 1pm to 2pm, 2pm to 3pm and 5pm to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 11am, then 2pm to 3 pm and 3pm to 4pm
Sunday 10am to 11am, 2pm to 3pm and 3pm to 4pm

Please contact ohjelma@2013.finncon.org to reserve your slot! Time slots will be booked on a first come, first served basis, so it is best to tell us an alternative time slot in case your first choice is no longer available.

Still room at the con hotel

Sanna Koulu — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:27:43 +0000

Are you considering where to stay during Finncon? The official con hotel is a great option, and there are still rooms left for only 79 e per room! Read more on the accommodation page.

Call for participants

Sanna Koulu — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:18:53 +0000

At Finncon there will be a unique opportunity to learn writing: Aliette de Bodard and Tom Crosshill will be leading a workshop on short story writing, in English, on Friday 5.7.2013. The workshop requires advance registration – for more details, see the workshop page!

There’s art to be had!

Sanna Koulu — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:57:13 +0000

One important focus in Finncon 2013 will be on art, music and other forms of speculative media in addition to literature. In addition to various speeches and presentations there will be both an exhibition and a more informal “art alley”. The art exhibition collects works from four artists in the gallery of Kaapelitehdas, and the art alley provides opportunities to see lots of new stuff and meet the makers. Note that there are still a few spots open for artists at the alley!