This year I managed to go to Bilcon for the second time. It was both similar and different from the previous visit. Some of the differences stemmed from my being quite tired this year.
Early Start
Back in 2024, I travelled to the con on Saturday morning, and came back at night on the same day. (It may have been after midnight, but it was still the same “day” for me). This year it looked differently. On Friday, once I finished work, I travelled to Silesia region to stay at my friends’ place. The plan was for us to go to Bilcon together the next “morning”. Let’s say it was not an early morning – but we started before noon so it was a morning at least technically.
Programme room.
We used the remaining Friday time talking about many topics, including the Janusz A. Zajdel Award. We played a board game and spent some time with their animals. It was a pleasant evening, even if it meant I was more sleepy the next day. It was not a part of the convention, but it definitely felt like it.
We didn’t manage to arrive in time for the start of the con, but we were just a bit late. It was still before the official toast for the Bilcon. The occasion for the toast was a good one – Bilcon started 40 years ago – in 1986. It is not the oldest convention in existence, not even the oldest I visited, but most conventions I attend are younger, or even way younger.
Birthday
Let me tell the following – Happy Anniversary, Bilcon!
After the toast we got the chance to eat a cake. Judging by the decoration it seems that not only the convention had a jubilee. Sadly, we came to the party a bit too late to see the cake before it was cut and distributed. Still, we got rather large pieces and it was pretty good!
Anniversary cake. The pieces were big and tasty.
Speaking of tasty sweets,I learned my lesson the last time. Now I knew how delicious traditional frgáls are. Each time I wanted something sweet, I was choosing one (or more) of the four varieties there were to choose from. I was tempted by other sweets, as I liked them too back in 2024. Yet the frgáls were winning. I need to learn how to make them.
Tombola
After 11 PM there was a tombola. One could buy the tickets earlier during the day. I planned on taking ten, but I decided that having a prime number would be better, so I ended with eleven. Sadly, the number I wanted to take – 44, was already taken in two of the available colours. It is a double pity as both of those won awards.
What I adored was the fans’ approach to tombola. The prizes were… specific. Some were good, like hardcover set of Czech edition of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher. Yet, part of the awards were more specific. As it was a Bilcon anniversary, there were two frgáls adorned with the proper text. There was also a basket with 40 eggs, huge pumpkins, boxes of mushrooms, a tap plus soap dispenser, and more.
Lucky winners with their pumpkins.
What was hilarious was the approach of the winners. Everyone seemed so happy and enthusiastic. Definitely, Czech fandom knows how to enjoy themselves!
None of my tickets won. I was hoping for the frgál, but tough luck. On the other hand, I was afraid of the perspective of winning a basket of eggs as taking them to Poland would be a challenge. The Polish contingent won a few items including two huge pumpkins that my friends got. I suppose that their freezer may have a large quantity of pumpkin puree now.
One Needs Sleep To Enjoy The Programme
Czech and Polish languages have a lot of similarities. Yet, they have also plenty of differences. Back in 2024, I attended at least one programme item in Czech. At the time I realized that if I know the subject and concentrate hard enough I can follow the presentation. Sadly, this year I was too tired to be able to do so. I tried to listen to a talk about Večerníček (evening program for children), but I was too exhausted to follow it.
The magnificent concert.
In the end I managed to attend only one talk (as it was given in Polish). On top of that I participated in tombola and concert. The latter took place in a church located a few minutes walk from the convention venue. One of conventions member was presenting her music on a cello. The church itself was very nice, and listening to the music there added a lot to the atmosphere of the place.
Short Sunday
On Sunday the convention was closing. We came there to eat breakfast, say farewell to others, and we headed back to Poland. It was pretty short day. The good thing is that I managed to get some frgáls home.
My sunday breakfast included three frgáls.
When I look back at Bilcon 2026 I see that I spent most of the time with other Polish fans. Yet, I felt welcomed by the Czech fandom. The atmosphere, willingness to help, and kindness were there. If anyone would ask me whether it makes sense to visit Bilcon I would definitely say that yes. It was only my second time but I felt like at home. The smiling people, traditions, food, family like vibe – those are precious. I know that I will do my best to visit Bilcon again, and even if I cannot come each year I’ll add it to my convention schedule for good.
You can find more pictures in my FB gallery.
My next post will within two weeks.