For me Imladris is a very dear convention. Back in 2003 it was my first SFF con to attend. Because of that it has a special place in my heart. It also has a special atmosphere that I treasure a lot. Last year because of a cold I didn’t manage to attend it but this year I visited Imladris XXIII.
Ready to Work!
I was not planning to join the Imladris’ staff. Yet when I was asked for help back at KON_gres in Wrocław I decided that I should be able to support the convention. My role was rather small and I am not really sure whether I made a good job. Yet I was coordinating the presence of Imladris’ Dragons. I suppose that most of my readers in Poland have met the dragons. Also many of my foreign readers had the chance to meet them at Glasgow 2024 (and on a few other occasions).
Fantable of Krakowska Sieć Fantastyki with one of Imladris’ Dragons.
My role was purely pre-con so I had a lot of time for myself during the event. Of course I helped a bit on-site too – both during MIMO and the convention itself, yet it didn’t fill all of my time. That doesn’t mean that I was completely free though. Krakowska Sieć Fantastyki (our local SFF club) had the fantable at Imladris XXIII and I spent some time on the preparation. I also took a few shifts at a table but I was not as good at it as others. Here is a good place to thank everyone who helped making our table a success! You did a great job!
Time Flew By
I am not sure how it happened but the time at Imladris XXIII flew very fast for me. It was a blink of an eye between arrival to the venue in the morning and leaving it for the night. I cannot even say what I was doing. I attended a few programme items – that is true, I gave one presentation (as a backup for the guest who was not able to come), and as said, I spent some time at the fantable. Yet what about the rest? It is hard to say. I talked with some friends, spent time at the org room, visited blue room multiple times, and that was it.
One of few items I managed to attend.
The crucial part for me is however, that I had a great time. Even if I am not sure where I lost some hours I finished the con being both happy that I came, and sad it was over. The good thing is that I have high hopes to attend it the next year, and hopefully for many more years to come.
Feelings
As an organizer I won’t say that the con was superb or the opposite. Instead I will try to describe the things that were somehow important to me.
Since 2015 Imladris is held at the same school. Year after year I am observing how the building develops, and I am quite impressed. Exterior looks roughly the same but inside a lot has changed for the better. Yet one thing is way more important. Over those year we had multiple occasion to meet the school staff – especially those who were taking care of the school during the cons. This year I was so happy to see one of the school employees wearing Imladris’ t-shirts. The person clearly happy that the convention visited the venue once again.
Rynvord receiving Krzysztof ‘Funio’ Świątek Award for his contibutions to Imladris.
The theme for Imladris XXIII was “Monster Hunters” and, although it was not visible everywhere, the Programme division made a hell of a job out of it. Every time I was visiting a Blue Room, I saw some things related to the theme. (at Imladris for Green Room is called Blue Room, as Green room has another function. I am not sure how this happened, but it is as it is.) Members of the division were all doing a big cosplay of the group of hobbits who are very good monster hunters. They all had lovely green capes, and beautiful pins showing a door to a hobbit hole. Also the room had some cool decorations that was referring to the theme. Yet this was not all…
Programme team also published their own newsletter, namely Monster Hunter’s newsletter. Each of the three issues had a few articles describing how to prepare for monster hunting. Two of them were accompanied by a supplement – one with a crossword puzzle, and the other with a word search. Yet what I was impressed the most was a book – The Hunter’s Book (Księga łowcy in Polish). It was not just a prop – it was a genuine book written by the division head and containing a lot of funny and touching elements. E.g. whole concom was described inside and when I read the piece about myself my heart melted. (And I stay strong that I am not as knowledgeable as the book described!).
The Hunter’s Book
Imladris XXIII was also a convention when I got some gifts and it was so lovely. Those included fanzines, a pin, convention materials, and also an apple mousse! All of those were accompanied by smiles. Thank you all once again!
Hic sunt dracones
Our dragons of course made it to the con. Maybe not all of them but the representation was strong. Jadwiga who is in my care (or maybe I am in her care?) spent the whole convention in the Blue Room. She had an important task of posing for commemorative Instax pictures with Imladris XXIII’s guests. She was not alone – many of her brethren came too – including Elżbieta, Kazimierz, Melchior, Mieszko, Wanda, Zofia, Zygmunt, and Meadhbh (if I am not mistaken).
But they were all of them lacking the knowledge, for another dragon was born…
There was one more Dragon guest at Imladris XXIII. The two people responsible for that are are Rynvord and Wiewiór. The first was the creator of the Dragons of Imladris. He asked one of the regular Imladris’ gophers – Wiewiór, to make one more dragon. I am not yet sure what will be it’s name but it is…. huge. Like really, HUGE. Stuffing it required a full interior of a bed mattress. I am completely not sure where Rynvord will keep it…
The newest member of the Dragon’s Flight. Picture taken by Rynvord.
A Great Time
It is clear, from what I wrote above, that I had a great time at Imladris XXIII. I didn’t manage to write about everything but it would make this piece too long. Just allow me to briefly mention a few more things. This year the convention merch had a great addition available – a scarf with Imladris’ logo. I will wear it soon as it is getting cold enough for a warm scarf. We also had “krówki” (a Polish kind of fudge) that were delicious. (And yes, I definitely ate too many). One more thing is from KSF fantable. We had a competition to draw more attention of fans who may be willing to join. Some of the works we received as part of the said competition were amazing!
I cannot say whether Imladris XXIII was a good convention, yet I can say that it was a pleasure to be there. It was also an honour to add a little bit of my work to make this con.
You can find more pictures in my FB gallery.
My next post should appear in second half of December.