Rijeka's Exportdrvo is currently in full preparation for the largest domestic event of fantasy, pop culture, and gaming Rikon! From September 26 to 28, Rijeka will host nearly 5,000 visitors and will feature 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 also brings a record number of booths and exhibitors, over 60, making Rijeka an ideal weekend destination for fans of fantasy, science, pop culture, gaming, and Asian culture for three days.
This edition of Rikon is truly special: Udruga 3. zmaj is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the event is being held for the 28th consecutive time in Rijeka. Thanks to the long-standing dedication of the association and community support, Rikon has grown into a cult event and has become one of the most important and visited events on the themes of fantasy, pop culture, and science in the region.
Favorite moments from the last 20 years
“We really strive year after year to bring relevant programs to the audience, which has placed Rikon on the map of European destinations in recent years. The popular Dutch author Thomas Olde Heuvelt was our first international author and opened the doors for all future international guests. Two years ago, we brought the iconic oldtimer De Lorean, known from the film franchise Back to the Future, to the convention. We dedicated an entire year to the Star Wars theme ahead of the release of new films, which brought us a record number of cosplayers, and last year we welcomed Doug Cockle, better known as the voice of Geralt from the popular game The Witcher!”, say Marta Glažar and Valentina Mišković Yoe from the event's management.
“This year we continue in that tone, bringing interesting international names that provide our audience with original content that cannot be found at other festivals. Honorary guest Shaune Harrison is a legend of film makeup, and he will reveal the secrets of the craft to young people at Rikon and discuss entering the film industry for all creatives, cosplayers, or makeup artists.”
Informal education in focus
“The popularization of science and informal education for young people is very important to us; it is the central focus of all our programs,” emphasized Marta Glažar. “Regardless of the fact that we attract young people to the event with popular titles and program points, they stay for the scientific program and return year after year. At Rikon, they find their interests and meet new people while exploring new topics and learning something new. When viewed from the outside, after 20 years of the association's work, a significant success is evident, and we proudly highlight the impact that Rikon has on the cultural and creative life of young people in Rijeka and beyond.”
New Space Research and the Science of Ancient Slavs
The scientific honorary guest of the program is Ante Radonić, best known to the local audience as the voice behind the radio show “Andromeda,” our greatest popularizer of astronomy, who is joined in the rich program of popular and scientific topics by scientists from the University of Rijeka: Dijana 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 ancient Slavs, and much more.
Artefakt Literary Award
The Artefakt literary award, which has been awarded since 2010, also marked Rikon this year. It recognizes the best domestic literary achievements in the genres of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. “We are proud that Artefakt has been providing visibility and recognition to authors shaping our genre scene for over a decade, and we are especially pleased that new names and works are discovered every year,” emphasized Valentina Mišković Yoe.
This year, the winners are Danijel Bogdanović for the short story Šiškanomikon, Tanja Radman for Vezove sudbina, Dario Šarec for the novel Razdvajanje , and Morea Banićević for the children's novel Izgubljeni gospodin Kovač.
How Korean Pop Music Became Popular in Croatia
“This 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. The enthusiasm and energy are infectious, because after we introduced a K-pop dance competition two years ago, it was clear to us that there was no turning back,” the organizers added. Today, they say, Friday's program is entirely dedicated to Korean pop music and the entire bubble of pop culture that has emerged after the global mega-popularity of Netflix's hit KPop Demon Hunters.
“We invite everyone to our photo corner with the huge plush tiger Derpy from the movie, made by the skilled hands of our Slovenian friends and exhibitors behind the Lazy Kitty brand,” the organization invites.
Discounted Tickets and Free Entry for Children Under 12
Tickets for Rikon are available on the website www.RikonRijeka.com or through the Entrio system, where exclusive discounts on packages for two, three, or more festival tickets are offered. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the event upon entry.
Rikon is an event for all ages, with free entry for children up to 12 years old, and there is also a Kids zone for little ones and parents featuring workshops, gifts, and a relaxation area.
The complete program of the event is published on the official social media and website www.RikonRijeka.com. Rikon is held under the patronage of the City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.
