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63rd World Science Fiction Convention
http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk
[04 Aug 2005 - 08 Aug 2005]
Sant Feliu de Guixols, Costa Brava, Spain
After an absence of
ten years, the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon)
returns to Glasgow on Thursday 4 August 2005. Bailie
Alan Stewart will represent the City of Glasgow at
the official opening ceremony, which takes place at
3.30pm in Hall 5 of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference
Centre. Convention Co-Chairs Vincent Docherty and
Colin Harris will introduce the Guests of Honour Greg
Pickersgill, Christopher Priest, Robert Sheckley (who
cannot attend due to illness), Lars-Olov Strandberg,
and Jane Yolen.
The five-day festival
of books, art, science, TV, movies, comics and gaming
will feature over 400 hours of panel sessions, workshops,
author readings, and autograph signings. In addition,
there will be a number of high profile events including
the premiere of gamerZ, a new Scottish movie with
a fantasy twist, and an original play Lucas Back in
Anger by local theatre company Reductio ad Absurdum.
The high points of the
weekend will be the Masquerade - a catwalk show where
costume designers show off their unique creations
- and the presentation of the Hugo Awards recognising
excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy.
There will also be a
major Art Show, featuring the works of over 80 artists,
including Hugo-winners Jim Burns, Michael Whelan and
Frank Kelly Freas. with many of the items available
for sale. In the adjacent Dealers' Room, over 50 merchants
will be selling books, memorabilia and other science
fiction-related items.
The exhibition area
will feature props from The Hitchhikers Guide to the
Galaxy, Stargate, Dr Who (the latter provided by Macmillan
Cancer Relief, the convention's official charity)
as well as displays of the activities of science fiction
fans throughout the world.
Programme participants
include Special Guests Dr David Southwood, Science
Director of the European Space Agency and Alan Lee,
renowned Tolkien artist and Oscar winner. Lee will
be signing copies of his new book The Lord of the
Rings Sketchbook. Also attending will be Dr Who writers
Paul Cornell and Rob Shearman, along with Gary Russell
of Big Finish.
Scottish writers, including
Ken MacLeod, Charles Stross, Richard Morgan and Alastair
Reynolds will be participating. In all, over 500 professionals
and fans from around the world will take part in the
programme, including leading genre writers such as
Terry Pratchett, Susanna Clarke, China Miéville,
Ian McDonald, Harry Harrison, Brian Aldiss OBE, Greg
Bear, Terry Brooks, Kevin J. Anderson, Joe Haldeman
and Anne McCaffrey.
Full details of the
convention programme, participants and events, along
with admission fees can be found on the convention's
website. A five day admission is £120 (£32
under 16s) with single day admissions ranging from
£25-£40 (£5-£10 under 16s)
depending on the day.
Guests of
Honour
Greg Pickersgill
Christopher Priest
Robert Sheckley
Lars-Olov Strandberg
Jane Yolen
Special Guests
Prof. David Southwood
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