Last weekend, Star Wars fans from around Europe – and indeed the world – descended on Cologne, Germany for a truly special event – Power of the Force.
For a whole 12 months, I’ve done nothing but rave about this show, so much so, in fact, that fellow Fantha’s Mark Newbold and Richard Mitchell opted to join me this year. We were also joined by a now dear friend of ours who we’ve met at several Star Wars events, Nick Holness.
Rich had been in Germany for almost a week taking in the sights of different cities and toy shops. Mark and I flew from Birmingham to Dusseldorf on the Friday night, and though it was a different city to where our hotel and the event was, the travel couldn’t have been less stress-free.
On Saturday morning we took a stroll from our hotel to the event where we took our place in line. From the get-go, everything was run like a well-oiled machine. The queue to get in is managed in a friendly fashion with no stress and, more importantly, no one screaming in your ear to stand here to there. Instantly, you’re totally relaxed.
As you enter the event, no expense is spared. Imperial flags hang on the wall and even a nice little touch of red lighting is added to truly feel as if you’ve stepped into the Star Wars world, and definitely somewhere Imperial.
There are some magnificent vendors at this show offering everything to cater to any needs. After some graded vintage figures? Check. Lego? Check. Master Replicas? Check. Colouring books? Check. I was able to pick up some great pieces and, most importantly, I was a good boy and they all fit in the backpack. Some nice finds included a jar of homemade Mandalorian Honey (Honeylorian), an Iron Studios Darth Vader statue, and the real steal of the show – a last 17 Imperial Dignitary for 25 euros. Yes, you read that right – 25 euros.
There’s loads to do at this show and never a dull moment. The panels across the weekend couldn’t have been more intimate and relaxed. We were able to hear firsthand from Ian McDiarmid some stories from the making of Revenge of the Sith, including his famous cackle, we felt like we were at church with Giancarlo Esposito as he exuded so much passion, energy and joy that by the end we were all converted and we were in the room when Anton Lesser dropped the bombshell that he was originally cast in Rogue One but later cut.
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The talks are so friendly that it really feels so special to be up close and personal with the stars of the saga that we don’t want to miss out on anything, and though I didn’t get any photos or autographs, I’d be remiss not to mention the value for money one can get if you head to this event. If I tell you that a photo or auto with Ian was just 80 euros, then you’ll know it’s an absolute bargain.
As ever, the passion of the fandom in Germany seems to grow each year. For the padawans at this event, there’s Jedi School and a gaming zone featuring classic PlayStation and Nintendo games of yesteryear.
Some of the costumes on display by the fans are second to none and genuinely some of the best I’ve ever seen. The care, details and love that goes into making them is a thing of beauty to behold.
A really important thing I’d need to stress about this show is just how much fun and relaxed it is. No one, and I mean no one, is barging past you or looking stressed. It was great to see people out the courtyard playing Star Wars Top Trumps or catching up with old friends or seeing parents take five whilst their younglings bash each other with lightsabers.
On the Saturday night, our little gang headed out to Burger King to enjoy some food and pick up some of the toys and mugs that aren’t available here in the UK. We were having so much fun that Mark and I didn’t get back till our room until 1.00am.
When the time came to leave the show on the Sunday afternoon to head to the airport, I was genuinely a tad sad. I felt the same as I had done last year. Joyful. I’d spent the weekend with some fantastic people, laughed, traded stories, talked life, brought some great little products, and above all else – I’d done what being a part of this fandom does best. It allows me to do the thing I love with people I love being with.
Online they’ll tell you that Star Wars is ending, that it’s over, but they say that every day and I’ve grown tired of it. To anyone who believes such a thing, head to Die Halle Tor 2 in Germany on May 8th – 9th next year and you’ll have such a Force blast of joy and excitement and connection burning through you that I promise you’ll feel six-years-old all over again.