Rijeka's Exportdrvo is currently preparing for the biggest domestic event of fantasy, pop culture and gaming Recon! Of September 26 to 28, Rijeka will host almost 5,000 visitors and host a rich program with more than 80 program points: Cosplay competition, K-pop dance competition, gaming tournaments, creative workshops, comics, film, quizzes and popular science lectures and much more.
This year, Rikon brings i record number of stands and exhibitors, over them 60, with which Rijeka will host attractive international guests for three days and become an ideal weekend destination for fans of fantasy, science, popular culture, gaming and Asian culture.
This edition of Rikon is really special: Association 3. zmaj is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the event is taking place 28th time in a row, continuously in Rijeka. Thanks to the long-term commitment of the association and the support of the community, Rikon has grown into cult event and became one of the most important and most visited events on the topic of fantasy, popular culture and science in the region.
Favorite moments of the last 20 years
"In fact, year after year, we try to bring relevant programs to the audience, which has put Rikon on the map of European destinations in recent years. The popular Dutch writer Thomas Olde Heuvelt was our first international writer and opened the door for all future international guest appearances. Two years ago, we also brought the cult oldtimer De Lorean to the convention, known to everyone from the film franchise Back to the Future. We dedicated an entire year to the Star Wars theme before the release of the new films, so we had a record number of cosplayers, and last year Doug Cockle, better known as the voice of Geralt from the popular game The Witcher, also came to us!", they tell us Marta Glažar i Valentina Miskovic Yoe from the directorate of the event.
"This year, we continue in that tone, we bring interesting international names that bring our audience original content that cannot be found at other festivals. Guest of Honor Shauna Harrison, is a legend of film makeup, and at Rikon he will reveal the secrets of the trade to young people and discuss entering the film industry for all creatives, cosplayers or makeup artists."
Non-formal education in focus
"Popularization of science and informal education of young people is very important to us, it is the central focus of all our programs", she pointed out Marta Glažar. "Regardless of the fact that we attract young people to the event with popular titles and points of the program, they also stay on the scientific program and return again and again every year. At Rikon, they find their interests and meet new people, and along the way they explore new topics and learn something new. When you look at it from the outside, after 20 years of the association's work, you can see a significant success, and we proudly point out the impact that Rikon has on the cultural and creative life of young people in Rijeka and beyond."
New space research and science of the ancient Slavs
The scientific guest of honor of the program is Ante Radonić, best known to the domestic audience as the voice behind the radio show "Andromeda", our biggest popularizer of astronomy, whose rich program popular and scientific topics scientists from the University of Rijeka also join: Diana Dominis Prester, Rajka Jurdana Šepić, Marina Manganaro and anthropologist Sarah Czerny. The program is full of topics such as astronomy and astrophysics, mythology, artificial intelligence, magic and science, physics in the myths of the ancient Slavs and much more.
Literary award Artefakt
Literary award An artifact, which has been awarded since 2010 and marked Rikon this year. These are awards for the best domestic literary achievements in the genre of fantasy, science fiction and horror. "We are proud that Artefakt has been giving visibility and recognition to authors who shape our genre scene for more than a decade, and we are especially pleased that new names and works are discovered every year," she pointed out. Valentina Miskovic Yoe.
This year they were awarded Danijel Bogdanović for a short story Shishkanomicon, Tanja Radman za Bonds of fate, Dario Šarec for the novel Separation te Morea Banićević for a children's novel The lost Mr. Kovač.
How Korean pop music became popular in Croatia
"It is simply an inevitable moment of globalization, but there is something in that Korean culture that makes it endearing and close to the heart, and the audience recognizes that. Enthusiasm and energy are contagious, because after we introduced the K-pop dance competition two years ago, it was clear to us that there was no going back," the organizers added. Today, they say, the Friday program is entirely dedicated to exactly Korean pop music and the entire bubble of pop culture that was created after the global mega-popularity of the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters.
"We invite everyone to our photo corner with a huge stuffed tiger Derpy from the film, which was made by the hardworking hands of our Slovenian friends and exhibitors who stand behind the Lazy Kitty brand", the organization invites.
Discounted tickets and free entry for children up to 12 years old
Tickets for Rikon are available on the website www.RikonRijeka.com or through the system Entrio where exclusive discounts on packages for two, three or more festival tickets are available. Tickets will be available for purchase at the event upon entry.
Rikon is an event for all ages, s free entry for children up to 12 years old, and the kids and parents are waiting for the Kids zone with workshops, gifts and a corner for relaxation.
The entire program of the event is published on the official social networks and website www.RikonRijeka.com. Rikon takes place under the auspices of the City of Rijeka, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.
