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2013: The Humble Genesis Held at Palatul Copiilor (March 30–31), EECC’s debut drew 9,400 enthusiasts, introducing Romania to fandom culture.
- Guests: Veteran actor John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings) and rising star Finn Jones (Game of Thrones) anchored the event, while Victor Drujiniu (DC Comics artist) and Remus Brezeanu (Romanian graphic novelist) led the 22-artist lineup in the inaugural Artists’ Alley
- Cosplay: Early contests featured homemade costumes, with Vanessa (Paine Cosplay) and Enji Night setting benchmarks for craftsmanship
- Exhibitors: Local comic collectives like Dezarticulat and Dan Michiu Studio dominated merch stalls, offering hand-drawn prints and indie zines.
2014: Scaling Up at Romexpo
Relocating to Romexpo (May 9–11), attendance tripled to 22,000, fueled by blockbuster appeal.
- Guests: Jason Momoa’s primal charisma (Game of Thrones) electrified panels, alongside Mark Sheppard (Supernatural) and Natalia Tena (Harry Potter).
- Cosplay: International icons Yaya Han and Kamui Cosplay judged contests, elevating standards with intricate armor and prop workshops.
- Exhibitors: Gaming giants like CreativeMonkeyz and Sector 7 debuted interactive booths, while DoZa De Haş showcased Romanian board games.
2015: Bridging Geekdom and YouTube
The third edition (May 8–10) attracted 30,240 fans, blending Hollywood and digital culture.
- Guests: Manu Bennett(Spartacus) and Robert Knepper (Prison Break) headlined, while Vsauce’s Michael Stevens drew crowds with science-meets-pop-culture panels.
- Cosplay: Kristian Nairn (Hodor, Game of Thrones) mingled with contestants, inspiring Game of Thrones-themed ensembles.
- Exhibitors: Sector 7 expanded its gaming arena, hosting League of Legends tournaments, while indie publisher Comix Zone launched limited-edition graphic novels
2016–2019: Cementing Legacy
2016 (May 27–29 | 38,000 attendees)
-Guests: Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister) and Sylvester McCoy (The Hobbit) delivered masterclasses in villainy and whimsy.
- Exhibitors: Bandai Namco unveiled Dark Souls III demos, while Dark Horse Comics secured a permanent booth.
2017 (May 5–7 | 45,000 attendees)
- Guests: Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H’ghar) and Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed) drew Game of Thrones devotees.
- Cosplay: A Witcher-themed group entry won Best in Show, featuring hand-forged silver swords.
2019 Spring (May 24–26 | 52,000 attendees)
- Guests: Carice van Houten(Melisandre) and Paul Wesley (The Vampire Diaries) sparked frenzy, with Vladimir Furdik (Night King) hosting a choreography workshop.
- Exhibitors: Netflix promoted The Witcher with life-sized Griffin statues, while Ubisoft demoed *Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
2019 Autumn (Oct 18–20 | Cluj-Napoca | 23,000 attendees)
- Guests: Alexander Ludwig (Vikings) and Rick Cosnett (The Flash) headlined the first regional spin-off, tailored for Transylvanian fans.
2020s: Pandemic Resilience and Revival
2021 (Aug 26–29 | Post-lockdown Return)
- Guests: Itziar Ituño (Money Heist) and gaming legend John Romero (Doom) symbolized resilience, drawing masked but enthusiastic crowds.
- Exhibitors: CD Projekt Red showcased Cyberpunk 2077 patches, addressing launch controversies.
2023 (May 19–21 | 53,000 attendees)
- Guests: Dylan Sprayberry (Teen Wolf) and Alexander Calvert (The Boys) catered to Gen-Z audiences, while Stefan Kapicic (Deadpool) voiced live dubs.
- Cosplay: The introduction of a non-competitive catwalk allowed casual cosplayers to showcase store-bought outfits, doubling participation.
2023 Summer (Sept 1–3 | Arena Națională | 50,250 attendees)
- Guests: Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter) and Dean-Charles Chapman (1917) drew families, with Manu Bennett making his seventh EECC appearance.
- Exhibitors: LEGO debuted a Star Wars diorama build zone, while Funko Pop! launched exclusive Romania-themed figures.
2024: Record-Breaking Momentum
Spring (April 19–21 | Romexpo | 56,000 attendees)
- Guests: Myanna Buring(The Witcher) and Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon) reunited Game of Thrones fans, while Adrian Rawlins (James Potter) anchored Harry Potter panels.
- Exhibitors: Amazon Prime previewed The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power S2 with armor displays, and Capcom hosted Street Fighter 6 tournaments.
Summer (Sept 13–15 | Arena Națională | 55,000 attendees)
- Guests: Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things) and George Blagden (Vikings) dominated panels, with Mark Sheppard making a nostalgic return.
- Cosplay: The Group Competition (Sept 15) featured a Baldur’s Gate 3 ensemble with functional LED-lit armor, judged by Yaya Han.
2025 Spring Edition: A New Benchmark
Scheduled for April 25–27 at Romexpo, the 2025 edition promises unprecedented scale:
- Guests: While still under wraps, insider leaks suggest Sam Phillips (Bridgerton) and Charles Edwards (The Rings of Power) will headline, continuing EECC’s tradition of blending fresh and legacy stars.
- Artists’ Alley: A record 120+ creators will occupy curated booths, selected via a stringent portfolio review (Feb 24–28). The alley bans fan-art plagiarists, emphasizing original comics like The End Times of Bram & Ben sequels.
- Exhibitors: Marvel Comics and Dark Horse are rumored to debut exclusive merch, while Xbox plans a Fable reboot demo zone.
- Cosplay: Sunday’s Solo Competition (April 27) will allow LED and inflatable costumes, with a dedicated Repair Station for last-minute fixes.
Legacy of Community and Commerce
From its 2013 Artists’ Alley—a haven for local illustrators—to 2025’s corporate-exhibitor synergy, EECC has balanced grassroots fandom with commercial appeal. Each edition’s exhibitor list mirrors Romania’s geek culture growth: early years relied on indie vendors like CreativeMonkeyz, while recent editions attract studios like Netflix and Ubisoft. As April 2025 approaches, EECC reaffirms its role as Eastern Europe’s pop culture nexus—where cosplay passion and Hollywood glamour converge.
The East European Comic Con (EECC), Romania’s premier speculative fiction festival, returns to Romexpo, Bucharest, for its April 25–27, 2025 edition, continuing its legacy as Eastern Europe’s largest celebration of comics, gaming, and pop culture. Since its 2013 debut, EECC has evolved into a cultural cornerstone, blending international star power, creative showcases, and a thriving community of fans. Here’s an in-depth look at its journey and what to expect in 2025.
Origins and Evolution
Launched in 2013 as a grassroots gathering for 9,400 “geeks,” EECC quickly outgrew its initial home at Palatul Copiilor. By 2014, it relocated to Romexpo, Bucharest’s largest convention center, attracting 22,000 attendees and headliners like Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) and cosplay icon Yaya Han. Annual growth cemented its status:
- Attendance: Peaking at 56,000 in 2024.
- Guests: From early stars like John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings) to 2025’s lineup, including Sam Phillips (Bridgerton) and Charles Edwards (Rings of Power).
- Programming: Expanded from basic cosplay contests to include gaming tournaments, artist alleys, and interactive panels.
Spring vs. Summer Editions
EECC now hosts two annual editions:
1. Spring at Romexp (April):
- Scale: Larger exhibitor footprint (120+ brands in 2025), dedicated gaming zones, and sprawling artist alleys.
- Focus: Showcases blockbuster franchises and high-profile actors (e.g., 2024’s The Witcher and Harry Potter stars).
- Attendance: Consistently exceeds 50,000, with 2024 hitting 56,000—a record for spring.
2. Summer at Arena Națională (September):
- Atmosphere: Leverages the stadium’s vast space for immersive experiences, like separated gaming areas to reduce noise.
- Accessibility: Easier transit for locals, though slightly smaller crowds (~50,250 in 2023).
- Guests: Often features rising stars (e.g., 2023’s Shadow and Bone cast).
Cosplay: The Heartbeat of EECC
Cosplay contests have been central since EECC’s inception, evolving from amateur skits to professional showcases:
- Participation: Hundreds compete annually, with themes spanning anime, gaming, and film. The 2025 edition introduces a catwalk segment for non-professionals, broadening accessibility.
- Rules: Strict anti-plagiarism policies in the Artists’ Alley ensure only original designs are sold, fostering a community of local talent.
2025 Spring Edition Highlights
1. Guests:
- Sam Phillips (The Crown) and Sujaya Dasgupta (Shadow and Bone) headline, alongside Lord of the Rings alum Charles Edwards.
- Artist Alley: Over 120 creators, selected via a rigorous portfolio review (Feb 24–28), will display comics, prints, and bespoke merch.
2. Venue Upgrades:
- Romexpo’s Halls B–C will host expanded gaming zones and a redesigned autograph area to streamline queues.
3. Tickets:
- Kids under 6 enter free with ticketed adults, while photo ops start at €50
Legacy and Cultural Impact
EECC emerged to fill Eastern Europe’s void in large-scale fandom events, mirroring San Diego Comic-Con’s ethos. Its success lies in balancing global appeal (A-list guests) with local talent incubation (Artists’ Alley). The 2025 spring edition epitomizes this duality, offering a gateway for Romania’s creatives while cementing Bucharest as a geek culture hub.
With 56,000+ attendees expected, April’s event promises to be a landmark—bridging generations of fans and setting the stage for EECC’s next decade.
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