Now that conventions are slowly making a return, we also have a returning (to the convention scene and this blog) staple with Brussels Manga, previously known as Japan Con. As far as Japan-centered conventions in Belgium go, this is one of the smallest. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for with its location and atmosphere.

The beautiful, industrial Tour et Taxis building offers a lot of space and natural light, as well as excellent spots for diesel- and steampunk photos. Although the event is not ‘punk-specific, it is definitely a space where you can wear the style and blend in. You can even find some steampunk wares among the merchandise on offer.

On top of that, if you enjoy Japanese culture, what is better than having both?

If you love seeing cosplay, this is also a great event, and due to its small size you can actually properly stop and admire people’s costumes, many of which had distinctive ‘punk influences.

Onto the pictures!

Continue reading “Brussels Manga”

Comic Con Brussels, an annual pop culture event, once again set up shop at Tour & Taxis in Brussels on the weekend of February 22-23.

While it is no steampunk event per se, it boasts such a variety of all things geeky and cool that it’s really rather easy to dress up in the style and find some outfits or wares for your home. Several visitors had dressed up in the fashions, or stylish cosplays, which is a great way to meet new people in the scene.

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When I excluded events from my analysis in “Who Killed Steampunk?“, critics said I was overlooking the most thriving part of the steampunk movement. Book sales may be down; blogs and magazines may have closed; Hollywood may have lost interest in the genre, but conventions, some said, are booming.

I’m not much of a convention-goer, so I wouldn’t know. But if conventions and other events are where steampunk lives now, I ought to look into it.

So I did.

Continue reading “Are Steampunk Events Really Thriving?”

Elftopia fantasy faire has grown during its four years into an event that can easily compete with others of the same nature.

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Summer Geek Festival is a small, and with its second edition also relatively new, convention in Mons, Belgium.

It’s not a steampunk event, but it is so incredibly diverse that it does a really good job catering to the whole of the pop culture spectrum, from cosplay and geek stuff to Japanese fashion and music to steampunk — and pretty much everything else. Here are some steampunk photos for you to enjoy.

Continue reading “Steampunk at Summer Geek Festival”

The eleventh edition of Made in Asia was the first one run by Easyfairs, meaning there were quite a few changes, and not always for the better.

Frankly, the only change for the better I noticed is that it wasn’t freezing cold inside like last year.

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Last weekend, it was time for Comic Con Brussels in its traditional venue, Tour & Taxis. The event has in recent years become Belgium’s largest and most popular pop culture convention, and the dense crowd of this edition proved it.

Regardless of the masses of people, it was great fun, and, just like always, quite a few steampunks had flocked to it. Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.

Continue reading “Steampunk at Comic Con Brussels”

On September 15 and 16, Comic Con Antwerp, the annual pop culture convention, was held once again at Waagnatie in — you guessed it — Antwerp, Belgium.

While it is not a steampunk event per sé, steampunks (and any other ‘punk aficionados for that matter) are more than welcome and you can always find at least a handful among the visitors.

Continue reading “Steampunk at Comic Con Antwerp”

It was already the third edition of Elftopia, but this was undoubtedly the one where the Belgian fantasy fair confirmed that it can compete with the big fantasy fairs of the Netherlands, most notably Elfia. Continue reading “Elftopia”