PRESS RELEASE #46 - World Science Fiction Convention Returns to Glasgow

GLASGOW, Wednesday 3 August 2005

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.

ENDS

Contacts

General: info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk
Press/Media: David Stewart - Mobile: 07930 984402
Press Office (10am-5pm): 0141 576 3135

The 2005 World Science Fiction Convention, known as Interaction, will take place in Glasgow, UK from 4-8 August 2005. More information about Interaction, including current membership rates, is available from its web site (http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/).

Specific press contacts, or requests to be removed from the Interaction press release mailing list should be directed to press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.

"WSFS", "Worldcon", "World Science Fiction Convention" and "Hugo Award" are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.

Release Date 3^rd August 2005