Åcon 4 Underway, with Chocolate

Åcon, our little convention in Mariehamn, Åland, is arranged for the fourth time this year. The first day of the convention started traditionally very early with a ferry trip to Mariehamn (from Turku and Stockholm, in Finland and Sweden, respectively), with all the eating, shopping, and chatting in the bar that are customary in these situations.

The Thursday program was light, with introductions, people getting to know each other, a “do not disturb” sign workshop (inspired by previous experience of the very efficient hotel cleaning staff at work at early hours) and a very nice presentation by our Guest of Honor, Geoff Ryman, about some very impressive old sf movies (with lots of samples). There was also a movie showing (Frau im Mond by Fritz Lang from 1929, although not in its entirety, to the disappointment of many). And of course a lot of drinking beer and chatting with other fen in the bar and the lounge.

Saying hi to strangers

This morning before the official program started some of us took and excursion to a local chocolaterie, Chocolaterie Amorina.

We got a presentation about how chocolate is made, what kinds of differences there are in different kinds of beans, ways of making it, etc.

The hosts of the chocolaterie introducing us to the world of chocolate

The taste of paradise

The world of chocolate is quite complicated, and the characterizations for different kinds of chocolate—not to mention the pralines—seems to have a lot of common with wine tasting, both in the multitude of different tastes found in chocolate, and also in that you clearly need some practice to appreciate the really fine chocolates properly. If you visit Mariehamn, be sure to visit the Amorina!

The chocolatier Mercedes Urbano-Winqvist makes all her pralines by hand

Book Your Room for Åcon

If you’re thinking of going to Åcon, but haven’t booked your hotel room yet, now is the time to do it. There are a couple of rooms left in the hotel, and they are keeping them reserved for Åcon members until Monday. (And while you’re at it, remember to sign up for the con as well.

Åcon 4 Program

Åcon 4 has published its preliminary program schedule. Looks like a lot of fun, again. So, gå tå the cån site and sign up to the most fun convention in the Nordic!

Åcon Travels

The Travel Info for Åcon4 is now up on the web site, along with the reservation form you can use to book your trip. The prices are very inexpensive as usual, starting with 10 €/return trip from Turku.

Åcon Hotel Prizes Announced

The Åcon 4 hotel info page has been updated with this year’s prices and info on room reservation. The prices are about the same as before (150 €/person for three nights in a double room, with discounts for an extra person or for staying just for two nights).

This year there is also a cheaper accommodation alternative officially available, at the hostel-style building next door (with breakfast at the Adlon still included). I suspect these will go quickly, so if you want to attend the most fun convention in the Nordic, but save some money, act fast!

Åcon Announces Geoff Ryman as GoH

Åcon 4 has announced their Guest of Honor is British author Geoff Ryman. This is very good news—Ryman is an excellent writer (Air is one of the best books I’ve read in years) and also a wonderful and engaging speaker. As Åcons tend to be very fun conventions where it’s extremely easy to meet and chat not only with other fen, but also the guest, this is a convention you don’t want to miss!

Åcon 4 Announced

Åcon4 – a new håpe will be held on May 13—16, 2010 in Mariehamn. Set your RSS readers on “subscribe”.