FeenCon 2022: Between role-playing games and bestselling authors
Created: 2022-06-27Updated: 2022-06-27 12:07 p.m
By: Jessica Bradley
FeenCon 2022 Exhibition Hall © Jessica Bradley
At the weekend it was finally time again after two years: FeenCon opened its doors at the new location in Bonn-Beuel.
I was there for you.
After Corona and the uncertainty as to where the next FeenCon can take place, it was finally time again this weekend.
After it became clear that the town hall in Bad Godesberg was no longer available as an event location, the new location was found: the IGS in Bonn-Beuel.
For the time being, we are counting on staying here.
We can see today that it is very attractive with the outside area and the inside.
We would like to expand it a bit, that is, we would like to monopolize the entire school for it.
But we don't know that yet, this is all still in the planning stage.
Markus Pomorin, Chairman of the GFR
Everything you need to know about FeenCon:
The organizers of the FeenCon is the GFR Guild of Fantasy Role Players eV, they have been organizing the convention for 31 years.
Initially, the FeenCon was only designed for role players.
It was only gradually that there were readings by authors and the opportunity for fantasy readers to visit them or to get signed copies directly from the authors.
Since the convention exists on a relatively small scale, there are also discussions and exchanges.
The first events took place on a small scale, with a focus on role-playing.
It only gradually expanded.
The FeenCon is and will of course remain a role-playing convention and will always be role-playing-heavy.
Markus Pomorin, Chairman of the GFR
Nevertheless, the organizers have also succeeded in bringing bestselling authors such as Wolfgang Hohlbein, Bernhard Hennen and Robert Corvus to FeenCon.
This year authors such as James A. Sullivan or the author duo Judith and Christian Vogt were added.
Small publishers such as Torsten Low Verlag or Edition roter Drachen were also present.
In between there are also many self-publisher authors, such as Sameena Jehanzeb, who won the 2020 Self-publisher Book Prize with "Was Preema nichtweiß".
FeenCon has a lot to offer
But that's not all you can discover at FeenCon.
There is a large number of exhibitors, for example the game manufacturer Pegasus Spiele or a small pottery factory from Königwinter, which can often be found at conventions.
The close proximity to the Drachenfels is also reflected in their production: dragons.
So what fits better than this at a fantasy convention?
Pottery booth at FeenCon 2022 © Jessica Bradley
There was live music, fire breathers and even stand-up comedian David Grashoff had an appearance.
There was the opportunity to eat in the school canteen, including vegetarian options and a stand with Käsespätzle and Maultaschen.
Only the stand with the cherry beer was sorely missed by the regular guests at FeenCon.
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FeenCon: The costs are very manageable
Some big conventions are quite expensive, whether it's for entry, meals, or a brief encounter with the idol.
It's different at the FeenCon.
Entry for the entire weekend (Saturday and Sunday) was €10.
All shows and readings by the authors were included.
The food was also very cheap at €6 for a full meal with salad.
Even if the taste reminded me a lot of school canteen food.
But I'm sure there's still room for improvement.
The drink prices were more than moderate: you paid €1.50 for half a liter of water or soda.
If you had previously bought the FeenCon cup for 15 €, it was not only a great gift, but also a “bottomless cup”, i.e. as much coffee as you wanted.
I asked the organizer
It's a very narrow calculation.
After all, we want the visitors to feel comfortable here.
And it turned out that we work better on other specific parts with the calculation and make it more pleasant for all visitors and guests.
What use is it to us if we have high prices and then the flow of visitors is very low.
Somehow people have to feed themselves and at a great convention great prizes are simply part of it.
I will always advocate that the price is moderate.
Whether it's the entrance fee or ultimately the food prices.
Even the exhibitors now have a very moderate stand price at the IGS Bonn Beuel, but we don't know exactly whether we can keep it that way.
But it will remain within reasonable limits.
Markus Pomorin, Chairman of the GFR
It was a great weekend and I'm already looking forward to next year.
If you have never heard of FeenCon, then you should definitely stop by in 2023.
Even if you have no contact with the topic of role-playing games.
Although this medium has been on everyone's lips again since the successful Netflix series "Stranger Things".
FeenCon and other conventions are generally intended for everyone.
I think it would be great if people who had never had any contact with it just approached this area.
I can only say again and again that the people here at the conventions are so friendly and accommodating that you will always be there to help and advise and you will be accepted directly into this group if you are a bit interested and just go want to know what it's about.
Markus Pomorin, Chairman of the GFR
