The highly anticipated 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Convention (2023 Chengdu Worldcon) will kick off on October 18. This is the first time that the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) is being held in China, and Chengdu will become the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the world's  prestigious science fiction event. Sci-fi heavy hitters and fans from all over the world will gather in Chengdu, participating in this grand sci-fi convention.

Today (September 13), the press conference of the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon is held to officially announce the slogan, the mascot’s name, and the emblem for the convention. In addition, an introduction of the guests invited to the convention is also provided at the press conference.

To encourage sci-fi fans to actively participate in the event, the Committee of the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon launched a global call for the slogan for the convention. In less than a month, thanks to the enthusiastic responses from sci-fi fans around the world,  more than 5,000 entries are received. After a rigorous selection and improvement, the slogan for the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon is determined as “Meet The Future”.

According to the Committee, after the call was launched, numerous sci-fi fans actively contributed their ideas. The submitted slogans cover various perspectives with creativity and distinct themes, showing the unique sci-fi temperament of Chengdu.

"Holding the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon is an invitation from Chengdu to the world to jointly create a vision of peaceful development and cultural exchange. It aims to illuminate the era with starlight and dreams, promoting the continuous flow of scientific and technological innovation, and shining the radiant light of civilization," Yao Haijun, the full-time chairman of the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon and president of the Chengdu Science Fiction Association said. Chengdu is an ancient civilized city with a history of 2,300 years, and it is also a city of the future full of vitality and opportunities that help people make dreams come true. Especially in the field of scientific and technological innovation, Chengdu showcases active originality, chained industrial clusters, and a collective effort in nurturing future industries. "The slogan 'Meet The Future' not only expresses the good wishes for the Worldcon’s hosting in Chengdu, but also reflects Chengdu’s beautiful vision of embracing the boundless universe and meeting an infinite future with sci-fi imagination."

In the end, the Committee named the mascot "Kormo". "In ‘Kormo’, you can see a clever fusion of ancient Shu civilization and modern technology, and a wonderful collision of mechanical sense and imagination," Yao Haijun introduced. He also told that Kormo combines elements such as spacecraft, ginkgo leaves, the sun bird totem, the Sanxingdui bronze bird, and the venue of the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon, aiming to express that despite the rapidly developing digital world, the Eastern aesthetics originating from Chinese culture can still maintain its unique qualities characterized by continuous exploration and inexhaustible creativity.

Next, based on the image of "Kormo", the Committee will develop more than 200 cultural and creative products in 12 categories, including toys, bags, clothing, stationery, daily necessities, etc. These products are expected to be officially introduced to the public gradually by the end of September.

This year, the Committee has invited famous sci-fi activists such as Ben Yalow and Dave McCarty, as well as sci-fi litterateurs such as Robert Sawyer and Liu Cixin to bring a sci-fi literature feast to sci-fi fans. Meanwhile, Richard Taylor, the founder of Weta Workshop founder, who has won five Oscars for Best Visual Effects, and prominent figures in the Chinese sci-fi industry such as directors Guo Fan and Yang Lei, will attend the convention. They will engage in in-depth discussions on topics related to the fusion and development of science and technology innovation, culture, cultural tourism, and cultural creativity.

According to Liang Xiaolan, the full-time chairman of the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon and the vice president of the Chengdu Science Fiction Association, the convention will hold about 260 themed salons and parties, which are divided into eight categories: Science Fiction and Literature, Science Fiction and Art, Science Fiction and Film and TV, Science Fiction and Games (Animation), Science Fiction and Academics, Science Fiction and Technology, Science Fiction and Future, and Science Fiction and Industry. "For example, in the Science Fiction and literature section, there will be salons like Liu Cixin's ‘A Sci-fi Reunion After 10 Years’, and Robert Sawyer's ‘The Past, Present, and Future of Science Fiction’; In the Science Fiction and Technology section, we will discuss ‘How Far Are We From Space Travel?’ In the Science Fiction and Film and TV section, there will be a ’Sci-fi Film Special Effects Summit’; In the Science Fiction and Art section, there will be a ‘Three-Body Themed Concert’; In the Science Fiction and Games section, we will release the International Sci-fi Gaming Ranking,” Liang said.

What’s more, dealer’s room and fan tables will be held during the convention. Liang Xiaolan told that the Committee has invited over 40 enterprises and more than 60 sci-fi fans to participate in the exhibitions, including well-known sci-fi IPs such as " The Three-Body Problem", "The Wandering Earth", and "Star Citizen", and outstanding enterprises like the National Geographic, Huawei, Tencent, and NetEase. "You can experience the Marian living environment at the first Mars immersion experience base in China, compose music with a drum kit robot, and immerse yourself in a low-carbon lifestyle of the year 2060. We hope sci-fi fans can enjoy the fun brought by sci-fi and science and technology."

"We sincerely invite sci-fi fans from all over the world to come and explore Chengdu. Take a walk and see the city’s creativity and imagination with your own eyes. " Yao Haijun, on behalf of the Committee of the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon, extended an invitation to the world.