Interview with Ivan Angeli, ambassador for Beokocka
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO is immensely popular around the world but certain areas of the fan community do not always receive the attention they deserve. Eastern European countries have yielded hundreds of talented builders in recent years but I, for one, am not particularly familiar with the LEGO community in that area.
We were therefore delighted to learn that Beokocka, Serbia's biggest RLUG, will once more be hosting an event in Belgrade at which LEGO User Groups (LUGs) from across the world will be gathering later this month. Ivan Angeli, the ambassador for Beokocka, has kindly spoken to Brickset about the event and the LEGO fan community in Eastern Europe.
Firstly, a big hello to the readers of Brickset! I am Ivan Angeli, ambassador for the biggest Serbian RLUG 'Beokocka', from Belgrade. It is a great privilege to be able to speak with you and send a message to AFOLs around the world.
Thank you for speaking with us Ivan. For those of us unfamiliar with LUGs in Eastern Europe, what can you tell us about them and their interaction with The LEGO Company?
I think LUGs in this region were a little shy to begin with. In the past we could not be choosy when bricks are in question - we were used to building with what we could get our hands on, despite the complicated socio-political atmosphere. Although that situation is long resolved we have kept the tendency to build with what we have at hand.
With that in mind and with only a small number of members in LEGO clubs, it was no wonder that we had little contact with each other.
At one point we visited another LUG's exhibition and everything was set in motion. We realised that we had so much to offer one another, forging long-lasting friendships, learning about new building techniques and sharpening our exhibiting and club-organising skills through the experiences of others. We gradually created a network of real friends that bring us both joy and help.
Beokocka visited Brickenburg Asociatia (Romania) and since that day in 2013 we have been visiting each other twice a year, plus meeting at other club's exhibits. Kockice from Croatia followed almost immediately and then other RLUGs joined the family. Thus the 'LUGs United' initiative was born.
That idea was exciting, the fun was immense and the benefits of having so many LUGs to learn from was rewarding in itself; but the most precious thing we got from this networking is friendship.
I think The LEGO Company values this quality most of all and the development of this community rewarded us with a lot of goodwill from TLG. Making contact with them was fantastic, hopefully for both sides!
LEGO's presence varies dramatically across the world. Does the absence of LEGO brand stores in the region impact upon your hobby?
You have found my weak spot! My dream is to wake up, get some coffee, kiss the girlfriend good morning while she paints in the studio and swing by the LEGO store on the way to work and grab a Pick-a-Brick cup. I would buy one every single day, being a builder.
But, like I said, we learned to improvise and we adapt. Through a builders network on the Internet, with so many MOCers who appreciate and love the work we do, it was easy to find people who live near LEGO Stores through whom we are able to purchase bricks. Thankfully we have 'smugglers' who import sets so we are able to buy them at almost the same prices as the rest of Europe and we have a great relationship with retailers from other countries. Of course, with support from The LEGO Company, it was easy to get our hands on many bricks and sets at reasonable prices.
On the other hand, that takes time and effort and I wouldn't mind having a PAB wall within walking distance of home!
What can you tell us about the event?
The LUGs United Belgrade 2016 exhibit will happen on the 10th and 11th of September in Takovska 8, Belgrade. Over more than 500 square metres of exhibition space you will be able to see plenty of models on display for the first time in Serbia and some have not appeared anywhere in the world before.
But, the most important thing - we will be visited by 20 LUGs with their ambassadors from across the region so everyone involved in our LEGO fan community will be present. We are also welcoming RLUGs and contributions from as far afield as Brazil, France and Portugal.
Along with AFOL guests from around the world, visitors will be able to see works of some of the most prominent builders in the world including Sean and Steph Mayo (Siercon and Coral), Vitreolum (Letranger Absurde), Kosmas Santosa, Carys (Darth Plur), Li Li (Lisqr), Arzlan Li Hon Man (Arzlan), Alice Finch (Bippity Bricks), Mihai Marius Mihu, Dordje (Djokson), OliveSeon, Nathaniel Shields (The /\rchitect), Sarah (Cara Lego), Guy Himbler (V&A Steamworks), Josh Morris (I Scream Clone).
AFOL guests will enjoy two AFOL Nights with a lot of extra content that you usually only find at Fan Weekend events. Most things will be free and any costs will be very reasonable.
We tried to innovate a lot, so we will have Cinebrick projections, an interactive INFO Desk, Insta photo boot, a guided city tour and special gift bags containing some interesting items, although I am keeping them as a surprise for now!
Belgrade is becoming a new hotspot for tourists with good transport links, great food and hospitable people so I cannot wait to share that with the LEGO community across the world.
An impressive crop of builders will be in attendance. Are there any models you are particularly looking forward to seeing?
Yes! A fox from Mihai Marius Mihu, a water faerie form Sean and Steph Mayo (I've been mobbing them for that MOC for years now, trying to figure how it was built), sweets from Kosmas Santosa and a King Frog from Djokson - these are just my personal favourites. However, as some MOCs have already arrived, I must say that the girls love the sheep from Arzlan the most.
I should note that there are other fantastic builders that will contribute, like David Hensel, who were not mentioned as they joined just a few days before the deadline for signing up to exhibit. I am pleased to say that each and every one of the builders are personal, dear friends of mine so it should be a lot of fun.
You mention that this event was inspired by the LEGO Fan Weekend in Skaerbek, Denmark. What do you particularly like about that event and what aspects of it are you hoping to reproduce or better with this one?
Members of Beokocka visited LEGO Fan Weekend in Skaerbaek in 2014 and it was unlike any we had attended previously. Events are typically focused on visitors but this one was definitely focused on AFOLs. I met many friends I knew only through the internet at the show and made even more new connections. I loved the idea of an event which is more about socialising among AFOLs than presenting models to the public. Also, AFOLs often notice particularly impressive building techniques and are able to admire nice piece usage or uncommon parts where they appear. Naturally the builders therefore try harder to impress!
As we were visiting each other in the region it became apparent that Belgrade was a logical spot for everyone to meet as it is equidistant from all the LUGs.
I must also note that we visited LEGO Fan Weekend Paredes de Coura 2016 and their approach to organization left a great impression on us. Many of their solutions and ideas have been added to the Belgrade event. I am proud to exchange ideas with a great organiser like Miguel, who managed the whole event, from Comunidade 0937.
You will also be exhibiting some of your brilliant creations. Which one(s) are you most proud of?
Thank you for kind comment. With all those great builders present, I will be lucky if my MOCs are even noticed! I have a home advantage so I can bring large models but, in truth, I am most proud of the Faerie Dragon (known as the Draconic chicken within Beokocka) made out of translucent parts and the 1.5 metre long steampunk ship "Nautilus".
As with all of Beokocka's events, this one is free to enter. I hope that we are going to have a great time and look forward to seeing some Brickset members there!
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12 comments on this article
I like the Faerie Dragon.
An inspirational story about LUG's coming together as a regional group.
The future of Lego and AFOL's in Eastern Europe, seems like it will only get better and better.
Very cool! I hope everything goes well! And have fun! The two creations displayed here are very impressive indeed!
Cestitam brate! Congrats!
Sounds great, Ivan. I wish I could be there, but maybe next year...
Have a good one!
Great interview, hopefully I'll be able to visit one of your events in the future! ;)
I don't think I will be able to make the drive there this year but perhaps next summer I will be able to attend a show in Serbia.
Does the show have a webpage or can you give some details on the timings for the public?
^ Yes, you can check out the details here: http://www.beokocka.rs/en/lugs-united-exhibition-2016/
Greetings from Greece too! This is one of the best AFOL gathering around! Some of us Gricks will be there (alas not me though)! Have a happy event everybody and hopefully cu there next year!
This an excellent effort by Brickset and Beokocka. It is nice to see uniting and build-up of the brick-fans accross the globe.
Let's just hope that with our mutual effort we could fight for equall and fair prices in the every country.
Sounds great a little far to travel. That faerie dragon looks awesome! Maybe we could have a followup article on how the event went with additional pictures of some of the models that were presented.
Hi guys :) Thank you for the kind words! :)
And now, when event is done, check out our Virtual Walk of the event here:
https://goo.gl/maps/gUUCb8MJBHv