Archipelacon 2 Progress Report 3
Greetings From the Chair
The days are definitely longer and the spring in Finland is finally here. At least for the Archipelacon team, summer is approaching fast, and we are getting more and more busy. A lot of details have been sorted out, and a lot of things are still in the works. There is an excellent programme being prepared, we are working on materials for our programme book, the website has been getting more info about Access and other topics, and we are working together with the venues and the collaborators to get the final details set up.
The Archipelacon 2 team visited Mariehamn in the beginning of May, and this meant a visit to our convention site Alandica, as well as the neighbouring hotel, Arkipelag, which will host some of our programme. The spring in Mariehamn was pretty, and we could already imagine how amazing it will be in June when the trees have leaves and the sun is shining!
700 Members!
When writing this, Archipelacon 2 has now officially over 700 members! Our membership cap is 1 000 members, so there are still some left. We will reserve some memberships to be sold at the door, so the membership sales might close at some point, if we get closer to our cap. And if you’re interested in how it compares to the first Archipelacon in 2015, we had an 800-member cap and the convention was sold out, so there is potential Archipelacon 2 will be larger than the first one!
Volunteer!
No convention runs without volunteers, and while we have a nice number of volunteers already, we still have plenty of tasks available. No prior experience required! Volunteering is a great way to get to know new people and to see what happens “under the hood” of the convention. Not to mention, you get to be part of making the greatest convention on Åland in 2025 happen! Volunteers have access to our staff den throughout the convention, with coffee, tea, other refreshments, and snacks served!
We are accepting sign-ups through the volunteer form on our website until closer to the con, but if you act fast, you can choose a special merch item, only available for volunteers: a black cap or a shiny thermos mug, both with Archipelacon print. This is only available for those who sign up before the end of May 25th, so act fast! You are of course welcome to volunteer at a later date or at-con, and you get to enjoy the perks of the staff den!
All our volunteers will get a confirmation email in the beginning of June, the latest, and the shifts in the first week of June. If you have any questions regarding volunteering you can always message volunteers@archipelacon.org!
Reminder: Book Your Accommodation
As June is one of the busiest months in Mariehamn, a lot of the accommodation will be fully booked, so if you haven’t booked your accommodation for Archipelacon yet, do it now! The convention deals have ended, and the blocks have been released, and it is possible the Saturday of the convention is fully booked in most hotels, but there are a lot of guest houses and other accommodation options in Mariehamn, so it should still be possible to find a place to stay, as long as you act fast!
Badges! Badges!
…we do need badges (and they don’t stink)! The size of the membership badge for Archipelacon will be 105 × 148 mm (landscape orientation). Just in case you’re wondering what size of badge ribbons to bring…
Frequently Asked Questions
Artists’ Alley
A common question for a convention is if there will be an Artists’ Alley. The short answer for Archipelacon is: yes and no. While we do not have a proper Artists’ Alley, we will have some wonderful artists and artisans at their tables. The tables will be located on the 2nd floor of Alandica, our convention centre, and you can find all sorts of amazing hand-made things from those tables.
I Signed Up for the Programme! When Do I Hear Back?
As we are typing this, the programme team is working hard to tweak the programme and to send information to all the programme volunteers about their programme items. Most of you should have already received confirmation on your programme and the rest should get an email soon. But we are still finalising some of the panels and other programme items, so we appreciate everyone’s patience.
The programme schedule will be sent to programme participants at the end of May and published on the website in June. If the programme schedule clashes with your travel please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the programme, you can always email programme@archipelacon.org!
Is Archipelacon a Finncon?
Since Archipelacon is organised in Finland and since it’s a Eurocon, it will automatically be a Finncon, right? Actually, no. Finncon is the annual Finnish science fiction and fantasy convention, which travels around Finland, alternating between the capital city area, Jyväskylä, Tampere, and Turku. However, Archipelacon is its own thing: it is not a Finncon, nor is it a replacement national convention. Instead, it is a once-in-a-decade Åland experience!
This year there will be no Finncon. Archipelacon plays a role in Finncon not being organised, but it is not the reason. As so many of the Finncon organisers are organising or at least attending Archipelacon, no one wanted to organise a con within weeks from Archipelacon. But, fear not! Finncon will return in 2026 and the convention will be organised in Turku!
Do Not Fear Ticks!
Some members have expressed concerns about ticks and whether vaccination against Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is necessary. While the Åland Islands are considered a TBE risk area in Finland, the risk primarily applies to those spending time in nature or hiking. Since the convention takes place in the town area of Mariehamn, there is no significant risk there.
Åland Tidbits
Demilitarised since 1856
The other science fiction convention that regularly takes place in Åland is a small yearly event known as Åcon.
Since the very early days, Åcon has been known as “The most fun you can have in a demilitarised zone”. To date, we have not heard of science fiction cons in, for instance, Antarctica or the DMZ between North and South Korea, so the assertion is most likely entirely true.
But how did the Åland islands become demilitarised? It’s quite a long story. The islands have had the status since 1856 and the end of the Crimean War between Britain and Russia. As part of the Paris peace treaty Russia agreed not to fortify the islands any further. The Bomarsund fortress about 30 kilometres from Mariehamn is in ruins as a consequence of the war and was never rebuilt.
The demilitarisation was upheld after World War I, when The League of Nations ruled in 1921 that Åland should remain a part of Finland, but have wide autonomy, remain Swedish-speaking, and also remain neutral and demilitarised.
The demilitarisation status was upheld again after World War II, when Finland and the Soviet Union signed a separate treaty on the demilitarisation of Åland. Under the terms of this treaty the Soviet Union established a consulate in Mariehamn, which is still there, now representing Russia.
Today, demilitarisation means that Finland has no permanent military installations on the Åland islands and that Åland residents are not required to do national service in the military or civilian service. In case of an attack, Finland will defend the islands, and voluntary participation in military training is available for Ålanders.
The Islands of Peace stand up for Ukraine
The Åland islands are also known as “The Islands of Peace” to honour the demilitarised status, which the local inhabitants hold dear. Small wonder then, that people in Åland were horrified and angry when Russia launched its attack against Ukraine on February 24 in 2022. A group of Ålanders gathered outside the Russian consulate to protest that same afternoon.
They have not stopped since. Every day at 17 (i.e. 5 p.m.), a varying group of people gather outside the Russian consulate at Norra Esplanadgatan 11 to protest Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
This has been going on for over three years now, every day, come rain, shine, sleet, or snow.
If the war is not over when Archipelacon 2 rolls around, and you want to demonstrate your solidarity with Ukraine, feel free to join in at 5 in the afternoon on any day you are in Mariehamn.