Lina Irawan
By James Bacon
In the historic and atmospheric surroundings of Berlin’s Silent Green—a venue once serving as a cemetery and now repurposed as a thriving cultural hub—the inaugural day of Metropolcon has proven to be an extraordinary testament to the enduring power of speculative fiction. As the sun beat down on the lush gardens, shielded by the clever deployment of tents and umbrellas, the air was thick with the hum of intellectual exchange and the warmth of a community reunited. With the event officially signaling that "Everything is running smoothly," the convention has set a high bar for inclusivity, artistic expression, and global connection.
The Global Pulse: A Confluence of Cultures
The heartbeat of any convention is its people, and Metropolcon has succeeded in attracting an impressively international contingent. With over 850 members registered for the event, the sheer geographical diversity of the attendees is striking. Convention Chair Claudia Rapp expressed visible delight at the turnout, noting that the event has drawn fans not only from across the European continent but from as far afield as Brazil, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and India.
This is more than just a gathering of readers; it is a cosmopolitan assembly of individuals who share a profound commitment to the "fantastic." Whether they are navigating the intricate layout of the Silent Green—traversing the ramps between the bustling dealer’s room, the program spaces, and the shaded outdoor bars—or waiting in the serpentine queue for a signing with the celebrated author Becky Chambers, there is an palpable sense of shared purpose. Fans arrived clutching their favorite titles, eyes bright with the anticipation of meeting the minds behind their most beloved worlds.
Chronology of an Opening Day
The energy of the first day began early and sustained a frantic yet joyful pace throughout the afternoon and into the night.
Morning: Integration and Arrival
The early hours were defined by the logistical success of the venue. The architecture of the Silent Green provides a unique juxtaposition: the somber, calming history of the site meets the vibrant, kinetic energy of modern fandom. Attendees spent the morning navigating the sprawling site, greeting old friends, and acclimatizing to the various program tracks. It was during these initial hours that I had the pleasure of catching up with TAFF (Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund) delegate Katrina "Kat" Templeton. Kat’s journey is emblematic of the dedication inherent in the community; having been warmly welcomed in Newcastle, she is currently mid-voyage through a three-week odyssey that will take her from Berlin to FinnCon, and finally to Croydon.
Afternoon: The "Berliner Radler" and Global Representation
By mid-afternoon, the social aspect of the convention took center stage. The proximity of the bars proved a "dangerous gift," as the crisp, low-alcohol Berliner Radler provided the perfect accompaniment to the endless flow of conversation. The international reach of the community was on full display at the various promotional tables. Representatives from Worldcon iterations—including Dublin 2029, Brisbane 2028, and Montreal 2027—were present alongside the teams from Glasgow Eastercon, the Fórum Fantástico Eurocon, and the SferaCon 50 Eurocon. The level of cross-pollination between these organizations is a vital component of the speculative fiction ecosystem, ensuring that the global fan community remains interconnected.
Evening: From Karaoke to Industrial Dystopia
As the clock struck the six-hour mark, the convention’s lighter side emerged. The karaoke room became an unexpected highlight, with a packed audience joining in a collective, cathartic rendition of The Cranberries’ "Zombie." The raw emotional resonance of the room—cheering and singing in unison—was a microcosm of the event’s spirit.
However, the tone shifted into deeper, more contemplative waters with the performance of the German duo Die Leere im Kern deiner Hoffnung (The Void at the Core of Your Hope). Consisting of singer Doris Mücke and guitarist FC Stoffel, the duo delivered an "industrial metal, post-everything" set that was as intellectually demanding as it was musically intense.
The Art of the "Lived Dystopia"
The performance by Die Leere im Kern deiner Hoffnung was a defining moment of the day. Using screen-projected translations, the duo ensured that their German lyrics—which grapple with the "wrongness of the established world"—were accessible to the international audience. Their work is a deliberate interrogation of modern existential dread.
FC Stoffel’s stage presence was marked by a series of poignant, sparse observations between songs. The band explored themes ranging from the isolation of social media echo chambers to the lingering impact of Joe Abercrombie’s literary influence. One particularly harrowing segment addressed the rise of extremism, with Stoffel asking the crowd, "A Nazi with a baseball bat in his hand: do you decide to run or fight? I don’t have any answer to that."
This was not empty rhetoric; it was a form of "thinking, talking, nuanced brilliance." By weaving together political commentary, artistic performance, and a clear-eyed look at the dystopia of the present, the band forced the audience to confront the intersection of fiction and reality. Their latest album, Dead People Don’t Protest, released in conjunction with the convention, encapsulates this sentiment perfectly.
Implications for the Future of Fandom
The success of the first day at Metropolcon carries several implications for the future of fan conventions:
- Venue Selection as Storytelling: The use of the Silent Green demonstrates that the physical space of a convention can enhance the thematic experience. By choosing a location with a deep historical narrative, the organizers have provided a "calm" anchor for the excitement of the event.
- Radical Inclusivity: The global attendance numbers indicate that the appetite for international, face-to-face gatherings remains high, even in an era of digital communication. The organizers’ focus on welcoming attendees from diverse backgrounds has paid dividends in creating a "cosmopolitan" atmosphere.
- The Integration of Art and Advocacy: The enthusiastic reception of Die Leere im Kern deiner Hoffnung proves that fans are looking for more than just escapism. They are looking for art that acknowledges the "lived dystopia" of the current global climate while encouraging a sense of peace and community resilience.
A City Transformed
As the clock moved toward 10:00 PM, the atmosphere remained bright and inviting. A steady stream of fans could be seen drifting out of the venue and into the surrounding neighborhood, seeking out local favorites like the Eschenbrau Wedding Pub. The ease with which the convention integrates into the urban fabric of Berlin—with its abundance of restaurants and nightlife—suggests that the location is as much a draw as the program itself.
For those who might have had any lingering doubts about the feasibility of such an ambitious gathering, the signage at the entrance remains the ultimate reassurance: "Everything is running smoothly."
As we look toward the remaining days, it is clear that Metropolcon has succeeded in doing what the best conventions do: it has brought together people from disparate corners of the globe, challenged them with new ideas, entertained them with music and literature, and reminded them, in the words of the convention’s ethos, to "be excellent to one another." If this is only the first seven hours, the remainder of the event promises to be nothing short of spectacular. The conversations, the laughter, and the shared intellectual pursuit of a better, more inclusive future for the genre are only just beginning.
Iffa Jayyana
Nana Wu
