Estonian Science Fiction Association

Estonian Science Fiction Association inEestonia "Eesti ulmeühing". Established in 1995 as non-profit organization. There is a little membership fee, but to participate in fandom’s life there is absolutely no need to be a member. In Estonia are word "ulme" that covers science fiction, fantasy and horror, so it really means Estonian science fiction, fantasy and horror association. ESFA organizes mainly two things, the annual Estcon and annual Stalker awards.
Estcon is the annual Estonian national con and it takes place every July (approximately 80-100 attendees). In addition to that ESFA organize the regular meetings of local fandom in Tallinn and Tartu. People from Tallinn meet every last friday of the month in a pub called Lost kontinent, Fans from Tartu meet every second friday of the month in a pub Õlleministeerium.
Stalker is annual annual Estonia award (named after Andrei Tarkovsky movie) - for the best original and translated novel, short story, collection and so on. In 1998 it was Nebula-like - voted by experts - and after that Hugo-like, so everyone can give his/her vote. From those voting lists it can be seen that lately there have been 40-60 novels translated into Estonian every year. Mostly from English, but also from Russian, German, Finnish etc. Among the writers having won Stalker at least twice are Dan Simmons, Norman Spinrad, Charles Stross, Roger Zelazny. From the locals, Grand Master Indrek Hargla has made an (almost) clean sweep.
Its current president is Veiko Belials, members of the Board are Jüri Kallas and Joel Jans.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu