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FinnCon 2009


Parris

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Hey Bros, particularly those of the Euro-Commie branch:

I was wondering if any of youse guys were planning on coming up to [url="http://2009.finncon.org/"]http://2009.finncon.org/[/url], July 10-12 in Helsinki.

We're looking forward to this event, the first time we've been to any country in Scandinavia, and hope that we'll see some familiar faces amongst those of so many potential new friends.

This is likely to be a a very short trip, and George is not now planning on extending the trip to any other country. I'll be stopping off in Ireland for a few days to see the loved ones. I hope we'll be able to convene a qourum of Irish Bros for a night in Dublin.

So leave a message in this topic, connect with others who are considering going, call your old buddy who is now working for Nokia, and let us know if you're planning on attending.
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I'm not going to be there, but I studied in Finland (Tampere) for a year during college.

Make sure you go to sauna while you're there, preferably next to a secluded lake so you can go for a swim in between sessions. And yes, the soaking birch branches are for slapping your back while you're in there. It sounds S&M, but it does get the blood flowing.

So throw some water on the stones, sip your cold beer, and relax. :)

Have fun!

ETA: The link is broken. [url="http://2009.finncon.org/"]http://2009.finncon.org/[/url]
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[quote name='Myrddin' post='1699383' date='Feb 25 2009, 09.08']ETA: The link is broken.[/quote]
ooops! thanks for correction on the link. Yeah, we've got plans to hit a sauna or two. George did a phone interview for Finnish media yesterday, in prep for the convention. We're reading a bunch of books right now about Finland to decide what else we want to do on a trip that won't last much more than a week. George did study the histories of Scandinavian countries while in college, from which came one of his early stories : The Siege. But it's been a long long time since then, and we want to sharpen our focus and refine the list to things we can do in 3-4 days without too much time taken by travel. Helsinki does have a lot of places of interest, but a day or two outside Helsinki is a must.

Any suggestions from Finnish fans, or folks who have been to Finland, especially with links to follow, and an emphasis on history and castles for George, places of exceptional natural beauty, local flora and fauna, and bio-diversity for me, are most welcome.
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Linda and I are optimistic that we'll be attending. I haven't had time to get my passport sorted, however, and .. uh, other stuff. And there's some things that month that could collide. But, we'll see as it gets a bit closer.
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I'm definitely going to attend Finncon this year and looking forward to seeing you there. Here's few links to Finnish castles and fortresses. Suomenlinna Fortress (the former Sveaborg) or Olavinlinna Castle are always worth a visit.

[url="http://www.muuka.com/finnishpumpkin/castles/castle.html"]http://www.muuka.com/finnishpumpkin/castles/castle.html[/url]
[url="http://www.muuka.com/finnishpumpkin/fortresses/suomenlinna/suomenlinna.html"]http://www.muuka.com/finnishpumpkin/fortre...uomenlinna.html[/url]
[url="http://finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25955"]http://finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle...intNWSAID=25955[/url]

[quote name='Parris' post='1699503' date='Feb 25 2009, 12.47']George did a phone interview for Finnish media yesterday, in prep for the convention.[/quote]
I wonder if it was the Spin magazine?
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Oh yes, I'm wondering too about where that interview/profile will be published, if it's anything online.

I will not be surprised if George goes to see Sveaborg. That's the fortress in "The Siege". :)
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[quote name='Parris' post='1698094' date='Feb 24 2009, 17.33']This is likely to be a a very short trip, and George is not now planning on extending the trip to any other country. I'll be stopping off in Ireland for a few days to see the loved ones. I hope we'll be able to convene a qourum of Irish Bros for a night in Dublin.[/quote]
Whatever about Finland, hopefully we should be able to do something in Dublin anyhow. :) Although I will be on holidays around then, just to complicate things a little.
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I would love to come, and I will definately try, but it seems to be more or less the only weekend this summer when other commitments has to take priority. Could preempt it and just book the plane ticket though, and hope that my friends adjust their schedule to my benefit, hah.
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  • 4 weeks later...
I'll come, and so will my friend.

Ps. Does anyone know what time Mr. Martin will show up, say, on Friday (at Finncon, that is)? And what day might he be reading a chapter, or so, from his work? (Selfish questions, I know, but I'm eager to get my planning right.)
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[quote name='Ealdorman Halasahr' post='1746479' date='Apr 6 2009, 03.40']I'll come, and so will my friend.

Ps. Does anyone know what time Mr. Martin will show up, say, on Friday (at Finncon, that is)? And what day might he be reading a chapter, or so, from his work? (Selfish questions, I know, but I'm eager to get my planning right.)[/quote]
sorry, but it's too early to know the details of George's schedule this far out. We know he has to do some pre-convention press and the like, and there's a pre-convention party I think, but as far as the actual convention events, we just don't have a clue at this point.
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I am still considering this.
But may conflict with other, as yet unscheduled, summer activities.

Sounds good.
Maybe I should just buy the plane tickets now. So I won´t accidentally spent my money on other stuff, or plan anything else that week, and don´t get to go.

Mister Martin is not in northern europe that often:9 It would be nice to see him in person. Been a fan for a goodly number of years now.
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  • 2 weeks later...
Ps. Does anyone know what time Mr. Martin will show up, say, on Friday (at Finncon, that is)? And what day might he be reading a chapter, or so, from his work? (Selfish questions, I know, but I'm eager to get my planning right.)

Hello again Ealdorman, I recently found a blog at the Finncon site:

http://2009.finncon.org/en/Blog

this is the English edition: i presume there's one in Finnish as well.

The blog might be a good place to ask about programming plans, and for other information you might want before deciding if/when you're going to attend FinnCon.

I hope we'll get a chance to meet during the convention.

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If you're interested in history, go to Seurasaari for 18th-19th century houses and Pukkisaari right next to it for Iron Age trade village. (10th century or so, but we're the backwater of Europe. It's great - I hope we have the time to keep it open on weekdays also on this summer.) Nuuksio national park has some great places and it's close to Helsinki.

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I'll come, and so will my friend.

Ps. Does anyone know what time Mr. Martin will show up, say, on Friday (at Finncon, that is)? And what day might he be reading a chapter, or so, from his work? (Selfish questions, I know, but I'm eager to get my planning right.)

According to their program wiki, George's event is scheduled to last for 45 minutes, taking place at Saturday, July 11th, starting at 13.00 at the Merikaapelihalli (Ocean Cable Hall) of the Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory). However, the program is still heavily under construction and none of this should be taken as fact (even though the page says "Status: Certain").

And I'll be coming too! :)

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  • 2 weeks later...
I'll come, and so will my friend.

Ps. Does anyone know what time Mr. Martin will show up, say, on Friday (at Finncon, that is)? And what day might he be reading a chapter, or so, from his work? (Selfish questions, I know, but I'm eager to get my planning right.)

We have a meeting about the program on Saturday, so expect news after that. Ideas still welcome!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Welcome to Finncon, everyone.

We still haven't discussed about the program in English much, but have tentatively - and these times may yet change, you've been warned - planned a talkshow type of program for Friday, where mr. Martin would be one of the participants with the other Guests of Honour (Adam Roberts, Alastair Reynolds). It would begin at 5pm. His Guest of Honour interview is planned for Saturday at 2pm.

More details to follow come the beginning of June.

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  • 1 month later...

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