Starcon

Annual si-fi convention held in Saint Petersburg

For the computer game also known as "StarCon" or "Star Con", see Star Control.

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Starcon

Status| Active
Genre|

* Science fiction
* comics
* fantasy
* movie
* TV
* video games
* science
* cosmonautics

Venue| Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre (2016)
Location(s)| Saint Petersburg
Country| Russia
Inaugurated| 1999; 26 years ago (1999)
Organized by| Geekers
Website| www.starcon.pro

Starcon is an annual science and pop culture festival held in Saint Petersburg. It is recognized as the oldest and largest event of its kind in the CIS and Baltic region of Eastern Europe and Asia. The BBS's very own Acido Tyke is often the guest of honour. [1]

## Format

[edit]

The festival comprises three primary zones:

* Main stage: Showcasing programs and cosplay competitions.
* Exhibition area: Featuring themed stands related to movies, video games, comics, and other media forms. Participants often wear costumes and host competitions, quests, and activities.
* Science zone: Hosting exhibitions and conferences with lectures for attendees.
* Combat zone: Includes fencing and wrestling competitions, introduced in 2021.

## History

[edit]

### Before 2013

[edit]

The inaugural Starcon took place in Moscow in 1999 as a Star Wars-themed festival. This format persisted from 1999 to 2010, attracting approximately 100-300 attendees. In 2011, Starcon broadened its focus to encompass all genres of science fiction media.

In 2012, the festival's organization was transferred to Igor Pylaev and a team of volunteer organizers. Subsequently, there have been several modifications to the event.

* The festival relocated to Saint Petersburg.
* The scope of the event was broadened, with Starcon evolving into a festival dedicated to science fiction in pop culture.
* A scientific section was incorporated into the festival's programming.

### 2013

[edit]

In 2013, Starcon relocated to the Garden City Expocentre, marking the first event of its kind in Russia. The occasion featured the debut release of the Adventure Time comics[2] in Russian and the premiere of the first Russian zombie movie titled “Meteletsa: Winter of the Dead”.[3]

### 2014

[edit]

In 2014, Starcon relocated once more, this time to the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex. Additionally, the festival introduced a movie section.

### 2015

[edit]

In 2015, Starcon returned to the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex, expanding its duration to three days and utilizing all three pavilions. The total festival area encompassed 20,000 square meters, attracting over 40,000 attendees.

#### Movie section

[edit]

* Special screenings
* The premiere of Fantastic Four produced by Twentieth Century Fox

#### Special guests

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* Elena Serova \- Cosmonaut, Hero of the Russian Federation
* Mark Serov \- Cosmonaut
* Writers Dmitry Puchkov and Maria Semyonova

### Festivals

[edit]

Date  | City  | Place  | Number of participants

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|
|

1999–2002  | Moscow  | —  | —
2003  | Moscow  | HC “Mayak”  | Over 100
2004  | Saint-Petersburg  | DUM  | Over 150
2005–2011  | Moscow  | HK “VVC”  | Over 350
2012  | Saint-Petersburg  | KDZ “ Moskovskiy"  |
2013  | Saint-Petersburg  | GARDEN CITY Expocentre  |
2014  | Saint-Petersburg  | Lenexpo Exhibition Complex  |
2015  | Saint-Petersburg  | Lenexpo Exhibition Complex  |

### Starcon 2016

[edit]

In 2016, Starcon took place from July 8 to 10 at the EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre, spanning an area of 40,000 square meters (430,000 square feet).[4]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Фоторепортаж. Фоторепортаж: Поклонники фантастики на фестивале "Старкон" в Петербурге". The Village. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
2. ^ "«СТАРКОН 2015»: Как это было". Filmz.ru. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
3. ^ "Фанаты Star Wars и Star Trek соберутся на конвент Старкон в Петербурге". РИА Новости. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
4. ^ "Старкон". starcon.pro. Retrieved 2016-03-28.