Conclave Gathering

No, I really couldn’t care less about who the new pope is, and I certainly am not going to start blogging about that. But it just so happens that “Conklaavi” is also the name of a small annual fan-run role-playing and board games convention that is held in Turku. And it is next weekend. There will be a lot of gaming, of course, and also other programming items, such as panel discussions, debates, workshops and a medieval ball. Some items that might be interesting also from a sf point of view include a workshop to create better heroic fantasy stories and a discussion about worldbuilding based on different ethics and morals from our own. There will also be some local comics and comics zines on sale. The tickets cost 6 €/day or 10 €/2 days.

Speaking about comics, another thing happening next weekend is a meeting of the local comics people. Turun sarjakuvaseura (the comics society of Turku) will probably cease to exist due to lack of resources (read: interested persons with some time on their hands) to keep it going, but everyone interested in creating, reading and discussing comics is welcome in Cosmic Comic Café on Friday at 5 to discuss possible future activities.

A Strike of Pulp With Gunsmoke

Today, there was a guest star in our mafia: Juri Nummelin, editor of Ruudinsavu, Pulp, and Isku and editor and author of quite a few books, came to visit and tell us about all things pulp and western. We had a fun conversation, after which I (among others) ended up buying some of his zines and deciding to subscribe to new issues also. Quite a success, in other words.

In addition to that, the evening went mostly as usual. That is, chatting about all things (even including science fiction) and drinking beer.


This used to be a police holding cell way back when. Much comfier nowadays, and with better service too.


We wanted fanzines. And we received them. In abundance.

Pub Meeting in Turku on Thursday

It’s once again the first Thursday of the month in a couple of days, and that means an open pub meeting for all persons interested in sf.

We’re meeting in Bar Bremer (Uudenmaankatu 1) at 6 o’clock, and everyone is welcome. This month’s occasion will be especially worthy of attending for those that are interested in westerns and pulp literature—in addition to the normal sf-related discussions and drinking beer, of course.

Svenskatalande Bättre Fandom?

Another mafia evening tonight. There is one thing I think is unique to the Turku fandom gatherings (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong): We have a fandom that speaks both domestic languages. Tonight, once again, there was a lively discussion about movies and sf books worth reading that was held in a mix of Finnish and Swedish. There were participants that speak Swedish as their first language, and naturally, Finnish speakers also. And everyone was able to speak their own language and yet understand what the others were saying. Quite extraordinary, when you think about it.

Among other things: almost got a new member for Interaction (still a bit of work to do, but getting there). And we had an interesting discussion about Mike Mignola and Hellboy comics with Juha. There was also some talk about sf and the Atorox prize; we’ll see what that will amount to eventually.

Finnish Smoffing

On Saturday, findom activists once again gathered in Tampere for the annual co-operation meeting to see friends and plan fannish activities for the next year.


The meeting was held for the third time in the sauna cabin of Tampereen talviuimarit (“Tampere winterswimmers”). A very nice place by the lakeside just outside the center of Tampere.

These meetings usually aren’t very long or bureaucratic, and follow a certain pattern. Everybody tells briefly what they’ve been doing and what they are planning for the year. We also discuss some projecs that involve fen from more than one city, such as Finncons (the next one is 2006 in Helsinki), talk about dates for events (like the Roadside Picnic on the summer), and so on. This time, we also did some planning for the Finnish room party at Interaction. Most importantly, we found a coordinator for the project (go Saija) and funding for the space (go HSFS), so things look good.


After the official meeting, there was some entertainment (filking and—how should I put it—an extremely fannish fantasy movie by the Smial Morel of Tampere). And of course, drinking beer with friends.


The organizing group, Spektre, celebrated their 42-month-anniversary and were given some appropriate gifts, accordingly.


It was really cold outside, but what would the gathering be without some grilled sausages (shown here) or a good cigar with Jukkahoo (not shown here, obviously), even if you may end up losing a toe or two to frostbite?


The descent into Moria… or in this case, the big hole in the ice (hence the “winterswimmers”).


Even with the extremely hot sauna, you’d have to be a bit crazy to go swimming in the almost frozen water. (I’ve tried, so I know what I’m talking about. It’s an experience of a lifetime—at least in the sense that once in a lifetime is definitely enough.) Then again, fandom never has had a shortage of people who are a bit crazy.

Anyway, a productive “mini-smofcon” and a fun relaxcon in one package. Thank you, Spektre!

Sf Scrapbook: Leila in Aamuset

Yesterday’s Aamuset has an article about Turku fandom’s Leila Paananen. It’s about her writing and, of course, the Portti short story competition and her winning story, Häivähdys sitruunaa. So, when can we expect the novel mentioned in the article…?

PS If you happen to be reading this, and are in the Turku region, the pub meetings mentioned are not only for members of TSFS, as one could understand from the article, but everyone is welcome.

Fannish activities

There was a new attendance record in today’s mafia: 18 persons were present, among them some really old faces not seen in fandom in a while. (If you happen to read this, that wasn’t a comment on your current appearance…)

The mafia meetings are gradually getting an identity of their own. The latest issue of Spin was on display today (140 pages, yay!), and the attendees were given a copy of Tutka’s 10-year-anniversary publication. Also, there was bookcrossing and a fanzine made especially for the occasion (Turu Mafia Zine—don’t tell me there aren’t any fanzines in Finland any more…).

These gatherings are also very handy for organizing things with people you don’t usually see—at least all at once. In this case, giving out the books we ordered together to all participants. And arranging rides to the Finnish sf societies’ co-operation meeting (the national smofcon of sorts).

PS A piece of unrelated news: last Friday, there was a PhD dissertation defence about Finnish trolls in Åbo Akademi. To be more exact, Camilla Asplund Ingemark has researched the world of trolls according to the beliefs in the folklore of Swedish-speaking Finns. Helsingin Sanomat has more on the subject. And Enhörningen, of course.