MY VISIT TO THE CYPRUS COMIC CON EVENT
by Sandra Yolanda
A CELEBRATION OF FANDOM, CREATIVITY & THE ISLAND'S POP CULTURE
A WEEKEND OF COMICS, FILM & POP CULTURE
NEW EXPECTATIONS
When the opportunity arose for me to attend Cyprus Comic Con in Nicosia, I did not really know what to expect. All I knew about the annual event is that it had been around for a few years and had gained a reputation amongst fans of pop culture on the island.Â
A WORLD OF CREATIVITY
After a little research, I discovered that this event typically takes place over a weekend in October. It is organised by a dedicated team of volunteers who are passionate about comics, films, science fiction and general pop culture. I also discovered that the event provides an opportunity for people to immerse themselves in a world of creativity, connection, and celebration. Ultimately the event was promising to provide an exciting way to mingle with other visitors, share strategies, and celebrate a mutual love of pop culture.Â
A VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE
AN INSTANT BUZZ IN THE AIR!
There was an instant buzz in the air as soon as I arrived. As I slowly disembarked the bus, I continued to make my way through the crowd of families that were slowly gathering by the main entrance. I arrived early so I had time to savour some lovely food from the various vendors in the foreground of the venue. After this I exchanged my ticket for quite a detailed printed schedule of the day’s proceedings. Upon entering the venue the atmosphere inside immediately struck me. The stunning visuals included colourful displays and graphic sounds that all seemed to highlight my growing interest in the event. I realised that I was about to have a very interesting time when a man dressed as Dr. Spock from Star Trek greeted me. All of the major players in the industry, such as Blizzard, Paramount, Square Enix, and Disney, were well represented and I could feel the excitement building up as loud announcements from the schedule were being made.
A PACKED SCHEDULE OF VARIOUS THEMES & EVENTS
A COMPLIMENTS OF LOCAL TALENT
The event prides itself on featuring local talent, as well as the renowned international stars. The packed schedule was an ample reflection of this. Each area had something different on offer. There was a live stage offering non-stop music and some lively entertainment that included some pro wrestling. There was also a film festival, a hobby workshop, a medieval and a kid’s zone and several pop-up booths. These all featured independent artists and hobbyists along side several stars. Some workshops were offering people the chance to get involved themselves. I came across one that featured digital illustration. This allowed me to delve deeper into various aspects of comic book creation and fandom. I along with some others were shown some techniques that professional illustrators used when deigning artwork. I was also given some great tips for creating my own comic book art. These interactions were meaningful as they provided me with insight into the creative process behind the work of these artists that I had admired for so long. I realised straight away that this hands-on experience also fostered a sense of camaraderie among participants, and I appreciated the welcoming environment that encouraged collaboration and learning.Â
THE ARTISTS ALLEY
INDEPENDENT COMIC BOOK CREATORS
The Artists Alley was another highlight of the convention for me. Professional artists prominently featured their work and there was endless talent on display. This was also an opportunity for independent comic book creators to present their latest pieces to other illustrators. I had the opportunity to engage with several of them. I purchased a unique print that was created specifically for the event. The artist alleys also featured various local creators. As they highlighted their artistic talents, I noticed that there were several workspaces and panels focused on various interesting themes. These included each process of comic book creation, as well as storytelling, and the nuances of some brilliant animation. One of the creative corridors also featured original artwork not yet released along with some interesting news regarding other new upcoming releases.Â
SEVERAL SPECIAL GUESTS
ARTISTS, WRITERS & VOICE ACTORS
Other special guests including artists, writers, and voice actors, who were holding interactive sessions. They proactively shared advice, personal stories and industry insights to eager listeners. I attended a panel on comic book writing where the novelist shared tips on storytelling and character development. I also participated in an interactive questions and answers session with a prominent voice actor from one of my favourite animated series. This was both entertaining and enlightening. I also came across several local board game creators, artists, and other hobbyists, who were also holding various workshops in their pop-up booths. They all had their latest designs and creations on display and they were engaging the public with book signings and photo opportunities. There were various tournaments and competitions also taking place and witnessing Darth Vader playing chess with Batman was hilarious.
COSPLAY
A PLETHORA OF COSTUMES
I somewhat felt underdressed when I saw some fellow attendees dressed in a plethora of costumes. These included superheroes and characters from several comic books, anime, video games, and science fiction movies. It was also quite funny bumping into some of my favourite movie characters. I briefly chatting to both Sherlock Holmes and Spiderman and then I later saw them again on stage during cosplay. The Mediterranean Cosplay Championship and the Cosplay Masquerade brought loud cheers from the crowd. These contests were for both new and seasoned cosplayers. The cheering crowd was presented not only with varied creativity but also with a lively show of expression. A whole array of iconic characters were parading across the stage, strutting along to the music in their elaborate costumes.Â
THE GAMING ZONE
A VARIETY OF CLASSIC GAMES
The games zone encouraged several people to try their hand at a variety of classic games. As well as general gaming activities, there were also several competitions, limit breaks, and tabletop gaming contests. Video, tabletop, and some popular board game tournaments were also being staged. These contests allowed all visitors to engage in competition that offered some great prizes to the winners.Â
A MAGICAL DAY SPENT MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS & FRIENDS
AN IMMESRIVE EVENT
I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating my time with other fans of popular culture on the day. This immersive event, with its activities for people of all ages and its combination of engaging panels, exhilarating competitions, and creative workshops, truly made it a day to remember. The convention’s focus on the importance of creativity, originality, and collaboration among fans, artists, and creators was quite essentially refreshing. The event on the day also provided me with an unparalleled experience that allowed me to forge new connections and friendships with other like-minded people. I could now fully understand how this event has captured the hearts of so many. On reflection, my visit was nothing short of magical. Leaving the event, I felt both inspired and invigorated by the talent that I had experienced and the growing community surrounding it. As I sat on the bus home, I could not help but think about the next year’s event, eager for another chance to connect with my newfound friends. Overall, I was both grateful and very pleased that I had been allowed to explore the limitless world of Comic Con. This unforgettable event filled with creativity, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun!
