Heicon '70

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The 1970 Worldcon (it also called itself "Heicon '70 International") held August 20-24 at the Heidelberg Stadthalle, Heidelberg, Germany. The GoHs were E. C. Tubb (UK), Robert Silverberg (US), and Herbert W. Franke (Germany). The FGoH was Elliot K. Shorter. Heicon had decided prior to the convention to select the TAFF winner as its Fan Guest. The subsequent winner of the 1970 TAFF election was Elliot Shorter. John Brunner was Toastmaster and it was chaired by Manfred Kage.

Bidders: See 1970 Worldcon Site Selection.

Battle of the Balcony[edit]

"At Heicon was fought the 'Battle of the Balcony' when fandom routed the bad guys."

The Battle of the Balcony was an unusual interference from the general public into the activities at a science fiction convention. This occurred at the 1970 Worldcon, Heicon.

As they were in the United States at the time, anti-government student protests had been going across parts of Europe. According to one report, the protesters had been driven out of Paris and had been protesting in other towns across Europe. They appeared in Heidelberg just as the Worldcon was going on. The protesters entered the balcony of the main room and were disrupting the proceedings.

When they tried to go farther, Elliot Shorter blocked their way. He called on fellow fans who were members of the SCA to help. Several of them came forward with the swords they were wearing. The protesters, facing armed antagonists, decided to withdraw.


More reading[edit]

See also European Continental Worldcons.


St. Louiscon Worldcon - Bidding - Hugos Noreascon I
1970
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