As Metropolcon 2026 struck its final chords at the silent green quartier in early July Berlin, the ESFS board gathered again to announce the Society’s annual awards for all things genre. The inspired ceremony commenced with pomp and fashion and presented the colorful and electro-enabled Eurocon award, before the round of Chrysalis award debut winners from each nominating country were announced.

On the Achievement awards category, Portugal and Ukraine snatched two awards each — with Ukraine winning the Best Event, Festival or Convention for their All More con, which keeps being done despite the war conditions. Poland and Ireland also received an award, while France and Italy receiving the Best Work of Art and Best Written Work of Fiction awards, respectively.

The Hall of Fame awards saw many winners actually present in the hall. Francesco Verso, winner of the Best Promoted Award on behalf of Italy, delivered a heartfelt speech devoted to the role of European fandom in crossing bridges and supporting work in diverse languages and cultures. Slovenia, which marked its first voting presence on the delegate committee in a long time, won the Best Magazine award. Luís Filipe Silva from Portugal won the Best Author Award, while Mariano Martin Rodriguez from Spain (of SciPhi fame) won the Best Translator Award, including for translating the work of Mr Silva.

The European Grandmaster category was awarded to Thomas Recktenwald from Germany, who was also present and one of the Metropolcon organizers. This is the first time in recorded ESFS history that the award goes to a fandom activist instead of an author or artist and it outlined Thomas’ great contributions in bringing various genre communities together and helping out fellow fans.

All awards are published at the Next & Recent ESFS Awards page, as well as all the nominations submitted to the ESGS delegates earlier in 2026 and voted on the con. The ESFS congratulates all winners and nominees and thanks all the delegates for the smooth process and productive meetings.

The ESFS work meeting also voted Zagreb for the site of Eurocon 2028. Two bids were made for 2029: by Warsaw, Poland and by Sofia, Bulgaria. Two other bids were made for 2030: by Birmingham, the UK, and by Fiuggi, Italy; while Serbia announced a bid intent for 2031.

This has been a rewarding, immersive and intense Eurocon. We are looking forward to all fan and journalist reports and articles on the event — don’t hesitate to send it to our email to publish them on the site. The ESFS thanks the organizing team and the fandom is looking forward towards Eurocon 2027 in Libson next year!