Finncon Program Announced

Finncon 2011 has announced their program schedule. (The link points to the English-language page which is still lacking translations, but those will hopefully be updated soon.)

The program maps have the English program items marked in them, but here’s a list of Finncon & Animecon’s English-language items for easier reference. (Copied from the handy list Jukkahoo posted on Facebook. Thanks, Jukka!)

(PS I notice that the Finncon web team has switched the site to use much nicer and linking-friendly URL on the web site. Yay!)

 

Friday

• 14.00–14.45 On Writing
  Matrix (Kauppakorkea)
  Guests of Honour Nalo Hopkinson and Richard Morgan talk about writing speculative fiction.
• 16.00–16.45 Black Widow
  Mythos (Kauppakorkea)
  An interview with Richard Morgan about his comic projects. Morgan has written the story to two Black Widow miniseries for Marvel Comics.
• 16.00–17.45 Do it with Jordan... Part 1: Cover up
  Endor (Kauppakorkea)
  A trilogy in four parts during the weekend. Playful competitions to get you acquainted with the brick-like works of Fantasy literature.
• 20.00 Fandom Bar
  Brewery restaurant Koulu

Saturday

• 10.00–10.30 Opening Ceremony
  Caribia Areena
  Opening spectacle of the con! Useful information!
• 11.00–12.45 Guest of Honour speech: Nalo Hopkinson
  Matrix (Kauppakorkea)
• 11.00–11.45 Do it with Jordan... Part 2: Walk with
  Endor (Kauppakorkea)
• 12.00–12.45 Reading + signing: Tom Crosshill
  42 (Kauppakorkea)
• 12.00–13.45 Medieval Music
  Endor (Kauppakorkea)
  The Medieval society of Turku, Unikankare, delights you with musicians. Let the flutes and drums guide your feet to dance with the help of the lovely ladies of Unikankare!
• 13.00–13.45 Kaffeeklatsch: Nalo Hopkinson
  42 (Kauppakorkea)
  Chat with the author over a cup of coffee
• 13.30–14.30 Interview with HIMEKA
  Tsuki (Educarium)
  Canadian singer HIMEKA is interviewed. After the interview, you can ask for HIMEKA's autograph on her concert's programme book or on HIMEKA merchandise.
• 15.00–16.45 Guest of Honour speech: Richard Morgan
  Matrix (Kauppakorkea)
• 16.00–16.45 Hugo-nominees of 2010
  Xoth (Kauppakorkea)
  Panel discussion. Marianna Leikomaa, Jukka Halme, Cheryl Morgan, Tommy Persson
• 16.00–16.45 Do it with Jordan... Part 3: Show it
  Endor (Kauppakorkea)
• 17.00–17.45 Kaffeeklatsch: Richard Morgan
  42 (Kauppakorkea)
• Party at Kåren
  
  • Finnconkampen table-top hockey tournament, sign up at the con!
  • Masquerade, sign up in advance or on location as soon as possible.

Sunday

• 11.00–12.45 Cultural Appropriation in SF
  Matrix (Kauppakorkea)
  What is the difference between culture as window dressing and culture as essential background in speculative fiction? How do stories transcend treating the foreign as the exotic, especially if the culture in question is not the author's?
• 13.00–13.45 Reading + signing: Richard Morgan
  Matrix (Kauppakorkea)
• 14.00–14.45 Reading + signing: Nalo Hopkinson
  Matrix (Kauppakorkea)
• 16.00–16.45 Do it with Jordan... Part 4: Go deeper
  Endor (Kauppakorkea)
• 16.00-17.45 Piratism Panel Discussion
  Xoth (Kauppakorkea)
  Nalo Hopkinson (Note: This item isn’t shown in the schedules but is mentioned in the program listing, so maybe it is still unconfirmed.)

In addition to the items mentioned here, the schedules show a few items that have been marked ”English–Finnish”—I guess that means the program is more free-form and the content is shaped by who is attending it.

Hannu Rajaniemi in Turku

The author of the acclaimed sf novel The Quantum Thief and quite a few fine short stories, Hannu Rajaniemi is visiting Turku this weekend. On Saturday June 4, he will be interviewed in the Akateeminen book store at 11.30. After the interview (probably around noon) people have an opportunity to meet Hannu over a cup of coffee at Café Art. Welcome!

On Sunday, Hannu is one of the speakers at the International Science Day, which is this year held at Logomo. ISD is a one day festival of science aimed at the general public and especially focused on the intersection of science and art. The program has several talks, a couple of exhibitions, and the premiere of the Documentary Film Inside the Light: the mystery of light in quantum physics. The event is free, but you need a ticket (which you get via the event’s web site).

Finncon 2012 GoHs Announced

Finncon 2012 has announced their Guests of Honor. The foreign GoHs are authors Liz Williams and Lois McMaster Bujold. The Finnish guest of honor is sf researcher and conrunner Irma Hirsjärvi.

Finncon 2012 will be held in Tampere, July 20—22 at the University of Tampere.

Park Meeting Tomorrow

The Turku mafia (pub meetings) has migrated to Pinella (park side) for the summer. Welcome all tomorrow to meet others over drinks and sfnal discussions starting at 6.

The reading circle discusses Hugo nominated short stories at six thirty. There will also be a new issue of the Turu Mafia Zine tomorrow (somewhat later than usual—I’m out of town for the day and will arrive probably some time after eight with the zines).

Welcome!