You have questions! We have answers! Here are a few of them:
Is There an Artists’ Alley?
The short answer is: yes and no. While we do not have a proper Artists’ Alley, we will have some wonderful artists and artisans at their tables. The tables will be located on the 2nd floor of Alandica, our convention centre, and you can find all sorts of amazing hand-made things from those tables.
Do You Have a Gaming Room?
Yes, we do! There are plenty of board games in Saggö, located on the second floor. There are also a couple of jigsaw puzzles for people to solve together; those can be found on the first floor near the terrace entrance, and on the level 1 1⁄2 directly above.
Can I Attend the Convention Remotely?
No, Archipelacon is in-person only; we won’t be streaming any of the programme items.
Will There Be a Dead Dog Party?
Yes, there will be, and all members are welcome! The venue is again Arkipelag, which opens the bar just for us! So, if you are still in town on Sunday evening, either if you are staying longer or your transport leaves later in the evening, come join us one more time!
What Else Is There to Do in Mariehamn?
Mariehamn has lots of interesting things to see for such a small town. We have some recommendations listed on our website, along with a map of Mariehamn, with the convention venue, hotels, restaurants and other points of interest marked. The programme/souvenir book also has recommendations for things to do and places to visit.
Paying for Goods? Cash or Card? Mobile?
Contactless debit and credit payments by card or phone will work everywhere. Cash euros are accepted in most places, but card payments are the default, both for smaller and bigger transactions.
For Nordic users, MobilePay and Vipps payments work between individuals across borders, but don’t count on using them to pay at a store or restaurant – even if they advertise accepting MobilePay, international payments are likely to be rejected.
If you need to withdraw money, there are a couple of ATMs near the convention site – they are marked on our map.
Do I Need to Fear Ticks?
Is Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) a risk in Åland? While the Åland Islands are considered a TBE risk area in Finland, the risk primarily applies to those spending time in nature or hiking. Since the convention takes place in the town area of Mariehamn, there is no significant risk there. However, if you do find yourself knee-deep in some tall grass or taking a nap on top of a bed of flowers, it might be worth it to give yourself a quick check afterwards.
Is Archipelacon a Finncon?
Finncon is the annual Finnish science fiction and fantasy convention, which travels around Finland, alternating between the capital city area, Jyväskylä, Tampere, and Turku. However, Archipelacon is its own thing: it is not a Finncon, nor is it a replacement national convention. Instead, it is a once-in-a-decade Åland experience!
Finncon will return in 2026 and the convention will be organised in Turku!