Popular sci-fi convention gets under way in Scotland

Worldcon has got under way in Scotland.

It is the largest celebration of science fiction writing, creativity, community and culture, and is run entirely by volunteers on a non-profit basis.

It is taking place at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC) between 8-12 August and boasts a programme that includes talks, workshops, readings, panel discussions and entertainment.

Ceilidhs, fan tables and parties, an art show, costume masquerade, special displays and tours have also been arranged among a whole host of other activities.

There’s even a Batmobile or two.

Tajinder Hayer has enjoyed three previous Worldcon events, but this time round he’s attending with Lancaster University’s department of English Literature and Creative Writing.

He told Sky News the sheer scale of the programme – combined with catching up with previous convention friends – is what keeps him coming back.

Mr Hayer added: “I think the fact that it’s got like an academic core to it as well means that actually there’s a kind of a real interrogation of what it means to be a fan, but also what these different genres are doing at a particular moment.”

Mr Hayer said “we live in a science fictional age” when it comes to topics like the climate crisis.

He added: “I think being surrounded by people who are kind of exploring that in thoughtful, meaningful ways is quite heartening.”

Some of the biggest names in the genre will be joining the festivities, including award-winning English author Adrian Tchaikovsky, who is known for his Shadows Of The Apt and Children Of Time series.

His most recent novel, Service Model, is a darkly humorous tale of a robot servant who unwittingly kills his master and wanders off to discover a fragmenting human society.

Fellow award-winning writers Mary Robinette Kowal (Lady Astronaut series) and Charlie Jane Anders (Unstoppable trilogy) are also on the bill.

Game Of Thrones author George RR Martin previously announced he intends to make an appearance at the convention – albeit unofficially after he failed to fill in the application form to join the authorised programme of events.

The renowned American writer – who is behind the fantasy series A Song Of Ice And Fire – told fans he’ll be hanging “out in the bar”.

Cumbernauld-based Crossfire Gaming Club has set up a stall with the aim of attracting new members.

Gamers that enjoy Warhammer 40k, Age Of Sigmar, Blood Bowl, and Star Wars: X-Wing are warmly invited to join up.

The club was formed around a year ago and has already secured funding from the National Lottery.

Chris Mooney, who founded the club with friends, said: “We’re all about inspiring people to get out in the community. We want to bring people together.

“We want people to enjoy things and participate – it’s all about being positive.”

The premier event will be the presentation of the World Science Fiction Society’s Hugo Awards.

The awards honour the best of sci-fi and fantasy from the previous year in literature, non-fiction, dramatic presentations, art, and fan-driven works.

The ceremony is set to take place within the SEC Armadillo on Sunday evening from 8pm. It will also be streamed live to the Lomond Auditorium event space.

The World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) began in New York in 1939.

The now annual event has been held across the globe, including in Chicago, Dublin, Helsinki and London.

Glasgow 2024 is the eighth Worldcon to be held in the UK and the third in the Scottish city after 1995 and 2005.

It is set to take place in Seattle next year.

Esther MacCallum-Stewart, chair of this year’s event, said: “I’ve been blown away seeing so many people so happy and excited here in Glasgow – people from so many countries, from babes in arms to people who have been coming to Worldcon for decades.

“We have almost 1,000 programme items covering everything from books to comics, TV programmes, and games.

“We’re hosting the debut of a brand new opera, we have two full orchestral performances. We’re even asking big questions like whether cheese survives in space, or who is the best cat in science fiction.

“Worldcon is a real labour of love. Some of our volunteers have been working for eight years to prepare for the convention.

“It’s great to see so much enthusiasm for science fiction and fantasy, and we’re delighted to bring the biggest event in the science fiction calendar to Scotland.”

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