Website Inactive
The London in 2014 bid website is no longer active. Now that we have won the bid, the convention website is at www.loncon3.org — please visit that website to join the convention or see the latest news
Eurocon Statement
Statement from the London in 2014 Worldcon bid
EUROCON
We thought it would be useful to clarify both that we support the ideals of the Eurocon and that we do not intend to combine our Worldcon bid with a bid to be the Eurocon in 2014.
We fully support the idea of international SF cons which encourage fans from different cultures and countries to meet and participate together. In particular, as a UK-based Worldcon bid, we are keen to see fans from across Europe attend the Worldcon and other international cons where they can meet fans from around the world (as also laid out in the principles of the European SF Society which oversees the Eurocon).
The previous two UK Worldcons were also Eurocons. Many fans from across the continent, in particular from Eastern Europe and the Nordic countries, were able to attend a Worldcon for the first time, with programme items and exhibits which encouraged sharing of the different fannish cultures and history – and, in 2005, the first Nordic Worldcon GoH.
Those of us who were involved with those Worldcons are proud of what was achieved there, and are keen to take this even further with the 2014 London bid. We believe this can best be done by building on feedback from fans who attended the last two UK Worldcons on what worked and what could be done differently. We are also conscious of the different bidding cycles of Eurocons and Worldcons, which makes it important that our intention be clear early enough for other bids to be able to plan well.
Having seen the increase in European participation at the last two UK Worldcons, the London in 2014 bid is confident that we can continue that trend independently of having Eurocon status. We therefore support the idea of a separate Eurocon in 2014, able to give full prominence to European science fiction endeavours and achievement. If we win the Worldcon bid we will be happy to work to promote participation in science fiction across Europe with whoever wins the Eurocon bids for 2013 and 2014. We may also in due course apply for Euroconference status for the London convention.
