Starcon

For the computer game also known as "StarCon" or "Star Con", see Star Control.
Starcon
StatusActive
Genre
Venue“Expoforum” Convention and Exhibition Centre (2016)
Location(s)Saint Petersburg
CountryRussia
Inaugurated1999; 25 years ago (1999)
Organized byGeekers
Websitewww.starcon.pro

Starcon is an annual science and pop culture festival held in Saint Petersburg. It is recognized as the oldest and largest event of its kind in the CIS and Baltic region of Eastern Europe and Asia. The BBS's very own Acido Tyke is often the guest of honour. [1]

Format

The festival comprises three primary zones:

  • Main stage: Showcasing programs and cosplay competitions.
  • Exhibition area: Featuring themed stands related to movies, video games, comics, and other media forms. Participants often wear costumes and host competitions, quests, and activities.
  • Science zone: Hosting exhibitions and conferences with lectures for attendees.
  • Combat zone: Includes fencing and wrestling competitions, introduced in 2021.

History

Before 2013

The inaugural Starcon took place in Moscow in 1999 as a Star Wars-themed festival. This format persisted from 1999 to 2010, attracting approximately 100-300 attendees. In 2011, Starcon broadened its focus to encompass all genres of science fiction media.

In 2012, the festival's organization was transferred to Igor Pylaev and a team of volunteer organizers. Subsequently, there have been several modifications to the event.

  • The festival relocated to Saint Petersburg.
  • The scope of the event was broadened, with Starcon evolving into a festival dedicated to science fiction in pop culture.
  • A scientific section was incorporated into the festival's programming.

2013

In 2013, Starcon relocated to the Garden City Expocentre, marking the first event of its kind in Russia. The occasion featured the debut release of the Adventure Time comics[2] in Russian and the premiere of the first Russian zombie movie titled “Meteletsa: Winter of the Dead”.[3]

2014

In 2014, Starcon relocated once more, this time to the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex. Additionally, the festival introduced a movie section.

2015

In 2015, Starcon returned to the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex, expanding its duration to three days and utilizing all three pavilions. The total festival area encompassed 20,000 square meters, attracting over 40,000 attendees.

Movie section

Special guests

Festivals

Date City Place Number of participants
1999–2002 Moscow — —
2003 Moscow HC “Mayak” Over 100
2004 Saint-Petersburg DUM Over 150
2005–2011 Moscow HK “VVC” Over 350
2012 Saint-Petersburg KDZ “ Moskovskiy"
2013 Saint-Petersburg GARDEN CITY Expocentre
2014 Saint-Petersburg Lenexpo Exhibition Complex
2015 Saint-Petersburg Lenexpo Exhibition Complex

Starcon 2016

In 2016, Starcon took place from July 8 to 10 at the EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre, spanning an area of 40,000 square meters (430,000 square feet).[4]

References

  1. ^ "Фоторепортаж. Фоторепортаж: Поклонники фантастики на фестивале "Старкон" в Петербурге". The Village. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  2. ^ "«СТАРКОН 2015»: Как это было". Filmz.ru. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  3. ^ "Фанаты Star Wars и Star Trek соберутся на конвент Старкон в Петербурге". РИА Новости. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  4. ^ "Старкон". starcon.pro. Retrieved 2016-03-28.