Delegates will be hoping London can provide the ‘extra dimension’ when the UK capital plays host to the largest annual gathering of science fiction enthusiasts in the world.
The World Science Fiction Convention - or Worldcon - is widely regarded as the most important meeting in the sci-fi calendar, bringing together thousands of writers, artists, dealers, academics and fans to celebrate the genre in its various forms. The event’s biggest draw is arguably the Hugo Awards, which honour the best science fiction works and achievements of the previous year.
Today ExCeL London was chosen as the venue for the 72nd Worldcon - called Loncon 3 - which will be held in August 2014 following Chicago (2012) and Texas next year. Loncon 3 will be the first to be held in London since 1965. It will also be the 75th anniversary of the first Worldcon held in New York in 1939. What started as a meeting of writers has grown to embrace science fiction in all forms including film, TV, art, comics, and gaming.
The five-day event, organised by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), will make use of 20,000sqm of exhibition and function space, and is expected to generate 12,000 room nights to accommodate WSFS members.
Alice Lawson, joint chair of Loncon 3, said: “We anticipate 6,000 people from over thirty countries will be attending Loncon 3 over the five days, to participate in programme, exhibits, and major events such as the Hugo Awards – not to mention the fun, socialising and even shopping that make Worldcon an occasion not to be missed.”
PIC: Fans of the other-worldy head for London