New lines of the chronicle
Nick. ROMANETSKY
WHITE SPOT
IN THE CENTER OF EURASIA
Honestly speaking, sending the organizers of the fiction festival
"White Spot" floppy disk with the text of the just finished novel, I
I didn’t at all imagine that after her I would go beyond the Urals myself.
The goal was banal - to show urbi et orbi (and to myself) that, in
Unlike some, Romanetsky did not study writing;
strength
Therefore, Misha Mirkes’ call surprised me greatly (and pleasantly!):
It turns out that my “Dodola” was nominated. However, surprisingly
doubts came. Frankly speaking, I don’t really like moving away from
hometown, and the fact that the upcoming
the con is being organized for the first time: after all, the first pancake is always lumpy... But since
call - we have to fly. So he took off.
However, the beginning turned out to be dull: Boris Zavgorodniy (from
St. Petersburg, only the two of us were going to the festival) went to
Moscow, from where he was supposed to go to Novosibirsk. So
a lonely road awaited me, and it began with the fact that
about to return home from the airport: over St. Petersburg in the evening the twenties
On November 1st there was such a snowstorm that Pulkovo was firmly closed and
for a long time (fortunately, for so long that I didn’t even have to spend the night
sit on the airport benches). In a word, I ended up in Novo-Siberia fourteen hours later than planned, and when
Monday evening I arrived at the Siberia Hotel, the party was already
in full swing. Everyone can guess what happened next.
cue that has been to horse races.
Unlike "Sidorkon", on "White Spot" the number of writers
ley was comparable to the number of fans, but this fact is practically
had no significant effect on the array of bottles displayed in the rooms.
However, this obscenity happened late in the evening and at night, and
during the day and early evening, sleep-deprived con participants stoically
worked for their bread in the program planned by the organizers.
Over the six days of the festival, the opening and closing were experienced, con-
An evening was held in memory of Mikhail Petrovich Mikheev and Vitaly Ivanovi-
cha Bugrova. In between, we met with KVN players from Novosibirsk-
th University, visited Akademgorodok and the shore of the local sea. A
There were also theatrical performances - amateur performances of "Crazy"
telny collective from the city of Mariinsk and "Love and Curse
Redrick Shewhart" theater "Old House". Alas, at the last one I was present
said those who had not the slightest idea about the heroes of “Picnic” and because
local armored teenagers, who were in a row disturbing the spectators, but in this case
tea, nothing depended on the festival organizing committee - with their academics
Even the teachers who organized this “cult campaign” failed
body In general, the program turned out to be quite rich, and I yes
sameallowed myself to ignore the book fair (I confess,
decided to get some sleep).
The literary fund of the festival amounted to one and a half dozen novels
new, about fifty stories and two and a half hundred short stories,
sent to the competition from all over Russia.
Oddly enough, the most disorganized structure of the festival
it turned out to be the jury, and here we must give credit to Gennady Prashkevich,
Mikhail Uspensky and Viktor Kolupaev, who managed to
bodies to close the giant gaps formed as a result
respect for the absences of Kir Bulychev and Vladislav Krapivin. Anyway
case, three masters coped with the difficulties that befell them -
mi, and the distribution of the laureate elephants took place on schedule
time organizers.
On Thursday, November 24, 1994, at a ceremonial meeting in
conference room of the Siberia Hotel, the jury's verdict was made public.
The White Spot festival awards were given to:
a) in the category "Large form" - Andrey Lazarchuk (Krasnoyarsk)
for the novel "Late for Summer";
b) in the category “Average Form” - Alexander Ruban (Tomsk) for
story "Dream of War";
c) in the “Small Form” nomination - Viktor Klimenko (Novosibirsk)
for the story "Freak".
A number of authors received incentive awards.
And there were conversations, conversations, conversations... And there were no scandals.
Of course, all of the above does not mean that the situation around
festival was cloudless - otherwise I wouldn’t have complainedZhenya Nosov in
information transmission of local television to almost complete failure
"White Spot" has no sponsors, but we can talk about the difficulties
I could only guess from the haggard faces of the guys. In general, they are
Once again they confirmed our Soviet “We can if we want.” And
let him throw a stone at them who has never lived from advance to
pay and didn’t count the last coppers in my pocket.
In a word, only the maids on the floors were dissatisfied.
However, as you know, for a maid the best guest is the one who
will pay for the room and live somewhere else...
What did the “White Spot” reveal to the world? In my opinion, from the situation,
reigned at the festival, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- firstly, the position of turborealism is currently
only durable, that any work not related to this
direction of modern Russian fiction, has no practical
high chances of being awarded prestigious and prestigious
value of bonuses;
- secondly, based on dialectics, since turborealism is
tig of the highest point of its development, the time of take-off is approaching
some other direction (which, the future will show), so I’m hungry
After glory, it’s time to dare and work. And remember that the same
dialectics will force turborealism to fight with currents - pretenders
ntami to the forefront of Russian science fiction.
And for starters, a couple of comments that have become personally importantfor auto
ra these lines:
1) the fact that “Dodola” was located next to the novel tour-
borealist Andrei Lazarchuk, finally convinced me that
the direction in fiction that has attracted me to the last two
year (let's call it, for example, sin's fiction or fiction
natural sin), not only has the right to exist, but also
interesting to others;
2) this con was the first one where I didn’t feel helpless
a blast-furnace tramp who finds himself in a rich and hospitable home is despised
nourished and fed. However, if you look at it, and not allowed into
this house is further from the front.
And therefore thank you, “White Spot”. I believe that you will survive
birth pangs and take your own place among domestic
Konov Boris ZAVGORODNY
"WHITE" MEANS GOOD!
Damn, I’m tempted to give these notes a title - “You have everything
white spot" - but, alas, alas, the local fashionista has already successfully joked
lodge newspaper. However, nothing particularly “white”, that is, un-
what is known was not at this meeting. Although, how to say, how to say
note: most of us came to Novosibirsk for the first time - the city
interesting, although not without some oddities. The river flows there, they say
There is a metro, but for the most part we walked more and more - that’s all
the action took place ten to fifteen minutes from the hotel.
But let's start, as the first fans said, ab ovo: about this horse,
or,as the organizers called it, a fantasy festival, I found out
by chance. I once went to see Felix Dymov, and there I found out. Right there
dialed the number, agreed with Mirkes that I would come - dialed a bunch
advertisements for distribution and began to wait. The festival promised to be interesting -
nom. Firstly, unlike other conventions, it was held
competition of manuscripts - which will be immediately read, discussed, awarded and yes -
they will publish it (God willing). And secondly, in our time - and arrange-
create a new convention? Without mincing words, the river - boldly! However, forget
I’ll say it straight ahead: the organizers of the “White Spot”, among whom are
advertising listed Zhenya Nosov and Misha Mirkes, this task was completed
curled up - and not bad. Another thing is that it was one of the most expensive
conventions that I remember. Back and forth, count and estimate, and each of them
I spent a lemon on this action! However! - how to say -
Hall would be my friend Chukchi!
So - departure. I'm in my repertoire - I come, get on the train
in full confidence that I will wake up not in St. Petersburg, but in Moscow. A
there Kashirin has a plane ticket and... But it turns out: my train
left a day ago. I don’t understand anything - how can it be: here’s the ticket, here I am.
I was terribly excited! There is not a penny of money, I have to pay for a new one
I have no money for a ticket, my plane ticket is missing in Moscow... Yes, I’m going! And
exactly by this train! A series of complex movements - the train starts moving.
A long analysis - the distribution of elephants (that is, books) that I was taking to Novo-
Sibirsk - inAs a result, I lost Howard's four-volume book and part
books that he published himself. But I get a very hard place (instead of
his: a compartment, soft, left a day ago) - somehow before-
I'm going to Moscow. It’s easier there - they greet you there, they drive you there in style
on the metro, there is Stas Doroshin, with whom we were in Volgogra not so long ago
where they pretended to be veterans of the I and II Punic Wars... In short,
The time before the plane flew by quickly. Well, then, Novosibirsk - and
the best "Intourist" hotel. And gradually I see: Lazarchuk and
Uspensky and his wife, Lukyanenko and Burkina, Ruban, Kudryavtsev and
Efanov, Kolupaev, Baikalov and Vasiliev, and many, many others
gee. And I even flew on the same plane with Vasily Golovachev.
Pishchenko approaches, who has been here for a long time, having left his native
Tiraspol on strike for daughter's wedding, Gena Prashkevich approaches
- “Table wine #21” is immediately purchased and printed.
By the way, about “Table wine #21”, otherwise known as “Media”
market" uncalled for. They tried to drink only this. Therefore, on
everyone went to breakfast. Besides, "Intourist" is still a buffet
was. True, it was in the restaurant that they got excited - by the end of the game they had sorted out
failed, cancelled. Otherwise they swept everything off the table with terrible force.
My neighbor in the double suite was Volodya Borisov. But alas,
I didn't have much time to talk. A fan from his club, studying here in
Novosibirsk, fell from the roof... and whatconvention? Everything to hell -
you need to call a car from Abakan, you need... yes, a sad story.
However, Borisov’s place was immediately taken by Sergei Zharkovsky. Who is it
remembers - let him know if the Smoking Room is alive! From a twelve year old boy,
with whom he came to the Volgograd club "Wind of Time", from his youth
talent, inspired by the praise of Arkady Natanovich Strugatsky,
he turned into a student at the Literary Institute, a family man, a father
twins, journalist. But he remained our man - which makes me happy. A
arrival at the "White Spot" is his premiere after a long retreat -
nothingness from the fandom. Moreover, there was something to bring - ten hundred
I sing "Fairy Tale".
Festival program. First we were taken to an emblem competition and
"White Spot" poster. I liked it, it's unusual - inside
First, everyone was given personalized badges (hey, guys, strength! Well done Misha!)
We walked around the emblems and posters for a long time - there were, there were good workers
you. The idea itself, of course, is on the verge - try to depict something
what is not there is the “White Spot”. But we did it - more work
there were a hundred! The owners involved local artists in the competition
schools, art department of Novosibirsk Pedagogical University.
I walked around for a long time, looked, and thought - there is something to choose from. There was a mass around
Sa interesting girls, as I learned - the authors of these drawings. Pre-
laid down: let each one stand next to her drawing, and we will choose
the best! Or the best? I always get confused with cases!The offer is not
passed - the competition is anonymous. I don't understand - why? I'm not even
I was going to ask for names. Yes, he opened the competition and made a speech
Prashkevich. And the results, when everyone had already left, were as follows:
Igor Elchenko - best logo, Vlad Kurilov - for best design
poster
Then there’s free time - who goes where, and I’m in a small company
went to Prashkevich to evaluate his culinary abilities. Manti,
which he is so proud of are really good. And already under "Dining
wine #21" - and finally it’s better that I didn’t eat anything. But of course not
They dealt only with gluttony and drinking vodka. A lot of in-
The most interesting incidents from “life” were told. And news. Ser-
gay Kazantsev (yes, he was there too) - said that the next "Aelita"
will be dedicated to the memory of Vitaly Ivanovich Bugrov. What's after it
death, the owner of the Ural Pathfinder decided to close the fantasy department
tics (madman!), but Kazantsev managed to convince him that he would destroy the journalist
cash, and, having left the “grain” job, again moved to “US”, heading
to work in the science fiction department for some very ridiculous salary. What
Well, this convinces me once again - there is always a place for heroic deeds in life!
In general, we had a nice time.
There was also the opening of the festival itself. For some reason I found myself in
presidium, and for some reason in slippers, which took a long and tedious time to remove two
television cameras. From the presidium I saw an elderly actress in the hall with
once beautiful, but already tragicface. I met
introduced friends. Next is the theater. Not related to science fiction
has. Although, when on the third or fourth day her tragic incident
once the voice disappeared into the fog with a tearful tear - everyone sighed with
relief. There were two performances - one extremely short (externally
I closed my eyes for a second, opened them - it was already over), another
by the Strugatskys called something like “Love and Hate of Re-
Drick Shewhart" - I didn’t watch and I don’t know the person from the whole crowd of co-
inventors, numbering about fifty people, who would vi-
business, so I can’t say anything. I personally am very scared
halo title.
There was KVN under the leadership of Alexander Bachilo, who probably left
but, from fiction to this show business. Interesting, I don't argue. But after
There was a banquet - also interesting. Especially the ending - Burkin s
Orekhov (Shishkin), having warmed up, played on the local piano in a black
You've got your hands on both your own and the Beatles' songs.
Well, what, you ask, is the competition itself? And at this time, paying attention
understanding of everything, work, and manuscripts were read by: Viktor Kolupaev, Mikhail
Uspensky, Gennady Prashkevich. Kir Bulychev and
Vladislav Krapivin - alas, alas, we were orphans, they couldn’t. And the conclusion is
ri is:
The best large item submitted to the competition, Andrey's series
Lazarchuk "Late for Summer". Best story - "Dream of War" by Ale-
Xandra Rubana. The best story is “Freak” by Vladimir Klimenko.The laureates were given an unusually shaped item made from semi-precious
valuable stones, something similar to "Aelita", but more compact, more
more black, against the background of which there are two light objects, more
most reminiscent of crystal eggs. This is probably symbolic...
tion of the "White Spot" according to the master's idea. In general, it’s so nice
little thing. One problem - everyone touched, everyone looked, pointed and
"white spots" began to fall out of the black context. However,
Why are we not craftsmen, or what? They glued it there, adjusted it there...
A special prize of half a wooden lemon was given to the story of all
for our beloved Leni Kudryavtsev. The story is called "Carousel"
Pushkin" - beautiful, eh!
Incentive prizes were received by: The Story of Y. Burkina and S. Lukyanen-
to "Today, Mom", a cycle of stories by St. Petersburg resident E. Dvorkin,
news by Evgeny Lukin “Amoeba”, story by Novosibirsk resident D. Dubinin
"Road of the Dead" As they say, the catches are not bad! God willing (and
sponsors) organizers to publish books based on the results of the competition. That was
that would be great!
So, quietly and quietly, the week of the holiday came to an end. Du-
small on the plane - oh! Is a week too much? When leaving I thought -
Just a week, how short, how reluctant to part! Well, by the way,
and it’s time for me to wrap up - I’m left out of this story
there is a lot left unsaid - for example, about science fiction in Singapore: ok-
It turned out that she was not there, nor was the Sixth Department of a certain institution; OBlack Jack roulette; and about something completely amazing - about “The Tale of
Blue Arctic Fox,” but I’m silent! And finally I just want to say
Novosibirsk residents: guys, thank you - we had a great time! And God bless you
good luck with White Spot 2.
I liked it - I want it
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