"Fairytale Convention" is this year's NiuCon slogan, and the event also changes its venue, which is why from 7 to 9 August this colourful crowd will be residing at the Wroclaw University of Life Sciences building in Plac Grunwaldzki, and the organisers have promised more attractions than previously. With 3 thousand and 4.5 thousand visitors two years ago and a year ago respectively, they also look forward to a record-breaking number of participants.
"These three days are simply to immerse in the world of fairy tales, not those modern and mushy stories about pink or flying rhinos but classic stories, a little sombre and spine-chilling and dating to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries," announces Monika LaureanneSodkiewicz, the convention's organiser. "Each edition takes on a different subject, and this year's edition is expected to draw a number of Cinderellas, witches and fairies."
Refined attire only
The NiuCon is a convention like no other for Polish science fiction and fantasy fans. Wroclaw attracts Japanese manga and anime fans every year, which makes the event quite unique in character. Warriors in refined attire can be seen carry large javelins and rub shoulders with petite Hatsune Miku or Sakura or other characters from Japanese cartoons. Sailor Moon can often be spotted in animated conversation with vampires or long-eared elves. Each year's edition reaches its climax with the Cosplay Gala, which is a great opportunity for hundreds of participants to showcase their attire and compete for the title of the best costume designer. What counts is fidelity in design, minute details and the quality of execution.
The sounds of rock, metal and pop music
Since its inception, the NiuCon has offered great musical entertainment.
"The university's main lecture hall transforms into a stage featuring manga and anime musical inspirations," says Dominik Przybysz Przybyła, the convention's organisers. "We can usually hear the sharp sounds of rock, and there is always room for heavy metal rhythms. The majority of the bands are professional."
The event also offers the opportunity to see Michael Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears, Rihanna and many other pop icons live, as it were. This is because the NiuCon also features the Cover Music Festival, its participants dressing up as their favourite pop stars and performing their songs.
More fiction with the Wratislavia Fantastica
Apart from the new venue, this year's edition also attracts with its extended fantasy and science fiction programme. This has been made possible due to a contribution from the Wratislavia Fantastica, which is now the festival's official organiser. The association has organised a number of conventions, including the Wroclaw Fantasy Days or legendary Polcon 2012, the latter featuring guests as eminent as Erich von Däniken.. The Wratislavia Fantastica is also going to organise next year's Polcon, which takes place in Wroclaw under the auspices of the European Capital of Culture 2016.
"We have joined our forces with the NiuCon organisers to create a new formula for the event which I would now define as a manga-and-anime-inspired fantasy and pop culture festival," explains President of the Wratislavia Fantastica Edyta Muł-Pałka. "Our focus as an association was on fiction, and we have managed to extend the programme and attract popular Polish fantasy authors. This year's fantasy and fiction programme has been developed under the auspices of the Polcon 2016, which is part of the ECC 2016 framework programme for literature. The following authors have accepted their invitations: Andrzej Ziemiański, Ewa Białołęcka, Krzysztof Piskorski, Jacek Inglot, Milena Wójtowicz, Simon Zack, Artur Szynder, Eugeniusz Dębski, Tomasz Czarny, Martyna Raduchowska.
A separate set of attractions is waiting for comic books fans, not only those in love with Japan. Another intriguing attraction is a a meet-the-author series which also features a separate meeting with KattLett, the author of the record breaking
comic book "Exitus Letalis".
Gamers will also feel at home at the festival, as there are separate features devoted to computer games as well as board games, card games and RPG. The fans of the latter can also join a meeting with Piotr "Ramel" Koryś, one of the most talented RPG publishers and designers.
Another of this year's unique attractions is a photographic studio. Those of the participants who choose to wear a special festival costume will be offered to have a professional photo taken free of charge.
NiuCon 7, 7-9 August (Friday-Sunday), University of Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 24. Tickets: three-day pass 50 PLN, Friday 25 PLN, Saturday 35 PLN, Sunday 10 PLN.
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Photographs: organisers
