Report from UniCon 2024 — The Baltic Comic-Con
On my journey to Cologne for Devcom — the renowned video game developers’ conference — and the much-anticipated Gamescom 2024 exhibition, I decided to make a detour to UniCon, held in Riga (capital city of Latvia), from August 17 to 18. This is the largest festival in Eastern Europe, often compared to the famous Comic-Con.
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UniCon has established itself as one of the premier events for fans of pop culture. It also attracts video game and anime enthusiasts in Eastern Europe and the Baltics. Each year, it continues to grow, attracting enthusiasts from across the region. This year’s event occupied two expansive halls and additional areas on the second floor of the Kipsala exhibition center.
UniCon 2024 brought together a diverse crowd of people passionate about video games, board games, role-playing games, collector’s figurines (and even a very detailed dolls!), LEGO sets, and other pop culture memorabilia. The festival offered something for everyone.
Highlights of UniCon 2024: Dance, Cosplay, and More
This year, the festival exceeded all expectations. A dedicated hall served as a dance arena where local and international groups, along with solo contestants, showcased their talents before a panel of judges. K-pop-style performances were particularly popular, drawing large crowds and high praise.
Despite these attractions, the heart of UniCon remains anime culture and everything associated with it. The second hall featured a large stage and a spectator area for cosplay performances. Cosplayers presented not just their costumes but also performed in-character skits, bringing beloved characters to life. The jury, comprising professional cosplayers, judged participants on costume quality, choreography, character accuracy, and acting skills. It’s worth mentioning that a similar, albeit smaller, cosplay scene was present at Gamescom 2024.
Gaming Enthusiasts and Retro Appeal
Video game enthusiasts were not left out. Various local tournaments, mainly focused on fighting games, were organized. I found the retro gaming hall, filled with Pentium 2 & 3 era PCs, where visitors could relive the nostalgia of late ’90s and early 2000s games via a local network setup. This segment of the festival was a hit among attendees, offering a trip down memory lane for many. Doom, Unreal, and of course Half-Life were available for anyone to play for free via LAN.
Craft Stalls and Artistry at UniCon 2024
An exciting change this year was the increase in craft and art zones. Approximately a third of the biggest hall was dedicated to artist and craftsman booths. Visitors could purchase a wide array of items, from fan art prints to original works, including pendants, keychains, knitted toys, hats, and even candle holders made from bones.
The festival offered a unique opportunity for both newcomers and established artists. To secure a spot at UniCon, vendors only needed to buy an entrance ticket and pay 10% of their sales. This approach by the organizers was especially thoughtful, recognizing that many start-up artists and craftsmen may not have the means to rent a traditional booth space and pay up-front.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere and Accessibility
UniCon positions itself as a family-friendly event, and this was evident throughout the festival. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with families, including grandparents and grandchildren, enjoying the various attractions. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy for today’s schoolchildren, who have access to such events — something that didn’t exist in my childhood. Nowadays, young enthusiasts can easily connect with like-minded individuals from neighboring countries and meet with characters (or cosplayers) from their favorite games or films.
An important aspect of this event — the widespread proficiency in English. The majority of people, particularly the younger generation, speak English fluently. This makes UniCon an ideal event for international visitors, as you’re more likely to hear English spoken than any local language, creating an inclusive environment for tourists.
That was 9th UniCon and it happens every year in august, along with its “winter” counterpart, WinterCon in jan. It’s a fantastic place to meet others who share your geeky interests and hobbies. With each passing year, UniCon solidifies its status as a must-attend event for the geek community.
Photo Gallery with Cosplay
Explore my gallery of photos below to see some of the creative talent showcased at UniCon 2024.
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