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The Worldcon, or World Science Fiction Convention, is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). Worldcons have been held each year since 1939 with the exception of four years during World War II. Locations have included the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Germany, and The Netherlands. Science fiction and fantasy fans have traveled from all over the world to attend, including Japan, Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Finland, Croatia, New Zealand, and Russia. The various Fan Funds (TAFF, DUFF, GUFF, etc.) will send their delegates to the Worldcon if they can, and sometimes will delay a year to make sure they can. The Hugo Awards are presented at a highlighted ceremony. The awards themselves are nominated and voted upon by the members of the Worldcon. Other highlights of the Worldcon Program have included Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, scientists, writers, editors, publishers, artists, and fans. Special prestige is given to the Guests of Honor of the Worldcon. Biographical and bibliographical data are written in the publications. They often present Guest of Honor speeches, participate in interviews, and are treated with respect honoring their years in the Science Fiction community. Past Guests of Honor have included Andre Norton, Isaac Asimov, John Campbell, Jr., Gene Wolfe, Gordon R. Dickson, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, Ursula K. Le Guin, Hal Clement, Anne McCaffrey, Samuel R. Delany, and others. The Masquerade (another highlight of the program) is spectacular, as the costumers prepare their best work for this event. There are concerts and artists' and writers' workshops. The film program will usually include the Hugo-nominated Best Dramatic Presentations. Major TV and film studios will often preview their new work at the Worldcon. Worldcon attendees were the first to find out about Star Trek, Star Wars, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and others. Both original artwork and prints can be purchased at the Art Show from new and established artists, to suit all budgets. In the Dealers' Room, one can buy books (new, used and collector's items), jewellery, toys, t-shirts, and other science fiction & fantasy related merchandise. There's also music, filking, dancing, videos, gaming, exhibitions, parties, author readings & autographings, and things you won't believe until you see them. Worldcons are run by fan volunteers, ages four to ninety-four, working from one hour to many years to produce the best event for their fellow fans. An Invitation to the EuroconIn addition to being the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention, Interaction is also the 2005 Eurocon. The Eurocon is a floating event, organised under the auspices of the European Science Fiction Society (ESFS), just as the Worldcon is held under the auspices of WSFS. However, unlike the Worldcon, the Eurocon title is usually attached to an existing convention, usually a national convention. You can find out more about the Eurocon here.
Fannish Language LessonsWe have provided a Fanspeak Glossary to explain some of the terms that make up the unique language of science fiction fandom.
The Next Three Worldcons are:
Interaction will be the 63rd Worldcon in all.
Previous Worldcons:
Upcoming Worldcon Bids:The members of the Worldcon, or World Science Fiction Convention, decide on where it will be located in future years. A rule change ratified at the 2004 Worldcon, Noreascon 4, means that site selection will in future take place 2 years in advance rather than 3. As this change come into effect in 2005, there will be no site selection vote at Interaction. However, all Interaction members will be eligible to vote in the 2008 site selection process which will be administered by the 2006 Worldcon, L.A.con IV. More details of this will follow at a later date. There are strict rules about where a Worldcon can be located and how it is selected. An advance membership fee is collected with each vote; this money is given to the winning bid, and each voter gets at least a supporting membership in that convention. The currently known bidders for 2008 through to 2010 are listed below.
A Bit About the NASFiC:A North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) is held in North America in any year where the Worldcon is outside of North America. The 2005 NASFiC is CascadiaCon, and will be held in Seattle, WA from September 1 - 5, 2005. More information on NASFiCs and their history can be found at http://nasfic.org/.
More About the Worldcon:For more information about Worldcons, the World Science Fiction Society, and Bidding for Worldcons, please visit the following sites:
AcknowledgementThis page is based on an existing page owned and managed by MCFI and we would like to thank them for letting us re-use their material.
© UK 2005 Ltd, 2002-2005. All rights to content reserved to UK 2005 Ltd, unless otherwise indicated.
This page maintained by webmaster@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.
Page last updated 3rd August 2005
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