FedCon in Bonn Maritim 8000 fans expected at sci-fi convention in Bonn
Bonn · The FedCon at the Bonn Maritim hotel is on this weekend and 8000 fans are expected. The GA spent the first day with facility manager Michael Dingendorf, who has been transforming himself into a Trekkie for 18 years.
It does not take long for facility manager Michael Dingendorf to become a member of the Enterprise crew: he simply puts on a collar and the jacket of the Star Trek uniform and loads his belt with some equipment. He does not have a matching pair of trousers. “They have become difficult to find,” says the 40-year-old, who has found accommodation in Muffendorf over Whitsun. He travelled from there to FedCon on Friday to meet up with other Trekkies.
He has been doing this for 18 years. Apart from two years, he has always been there when the Science Fiction Convention opens its doors. He lives in Ochtendung, west of Koblenz, but it would be too far to go home each night. He owns two Star Trek uniforms and has brought them both with him but will not be taking part in the costume competition on Sunday.
Dingendorf was one of 8000 fans this weekend at the Maritim hotel. He did not have to queue for long and met two acquaintances in the first ten minutes. He does a round of the many sales stands with books, DVDs and figurines. “I’m looking for t-shirts,” he says. He has budgeted a maximum of Euro 100 for such items and Euro 135 for the weekend ticket and his accommodation. “I’ve set myself a limit,” he says, but finds the temptation great.
Dingendorf became addicted to the series “Star Trek – Next Generation” in the Eighties and also likes everything that followed and is looking forward to the new series. With Kirk, Spock and co, the success of the whole series was based on their adventures. This does not accord with his viewing habits: “That simply wasn’t my era,” he says.
He met many acquaintances from the last 18 years and that is what mainly attracts him to FedCon. He has dressed up from the first visit as it is part of the event. “You get into conversations because of the costumes.”
Sven from Cologne was hoping this was the case. He was visiting the FedCon for the first time and was dressed as Star-Lord from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. His outfit was extremely elaborate. “I mostly made it myself,” he said. He has been to other events and said the format was not much different to that of the Ring, Hobbit and MagicCon.
Sven was meeting up with others who had brought costumes from the same film. They gathered for a Guardians group photo in front of the hotel, taken by Andreas Kinder. The media designer began offering these fan group photos at the Con five or six years ago. “I started because otherwise no-one was organising them,” he said. The idea was well received. This weekend there were photos with those dressed in Star Wars, Doctor Who and The Avengers costumes. Kinder does this voluntarily. “It is a passion,” he says.
FedCon runs until Monday and day tickets are still available. The programme includes workshops, fan events and panels with series stars such as Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes and David Hasselhoff.
More information can be found at www.fedcon.de
Original text: Stefan Knopp. Translated by Kate Carey.
