On the evening of October 22, the 81st World Science Fiction Conference concluded successfully at the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum in Pidu District, Chengdu. At the closing ceremony, Ben Yaluo, co-chairman of the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Conference, and Liang Xiaolan, full-time chairman of the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Conference, delivered speeches.
At the closing ceremony, awards were presented to the gold medal winners in the literature and art categories of youth works, and the gold medals in the science fiction art category for the "Best Fan Party", "Best Fan Booth", and "Fantasy Future" Outstanding Traditional Culture Themed Science Fiction Works Collection Event, and the establishment of the World Science Fiction Convention (Chengdu) Brand Promotion Center was officially announced. At the closing ceremony, the World Science Fiction Conference (Chengdu) Brand Promotion Center officially hired Hai Ming, Lu Ban, Ren Qing, Zhao Enzhe, and Jiuli to become Hugo X Academy tutors.
Accompanied by the music of "Come and Get Your Love", Ben Yarrow announced the official closing of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention. Chen Shi, co-chairman of the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Convention, handed the gavel to Vincent Docherty, a representative of the 2024 Glasgow World Science Fiction Convention, and presented a unique Chengdu gift: Chinese intangible cultural heritage - cloisonné enamel painting. This painting was jointly produced by teachers and students from Huai School in Pidu District, Chengdu. It depicts nebula, Kemeng, hibiscus flowers and the University of Glasgow, the filming location of Hogwarts in the movie "Harry Potter". It symbolizes the beautiful inheritance and imagination of the World Science Fiction Convention from 2023 Chengdu to 2024 Glasgow.
The Chengdu Science Fiction Conference left a deep impression on fantasy fans. American fantasy fan Matthew Balcerak said: "If I were the organizer of the World Science Fiction Convention, I would want to be in Chengdu every year." German fantasy fan Jonas Schmidt said: "I think this is a great opportunity for Chinese science fiction fans and international science fiction fans. It is definitely worth coming to China for science fiction fans." Korean fantasy fan Zheng Yunhao said in an interview: "I hope science fiction fans around the world can feel the science fiction romance of Chengdu through this conference."
Dave McCarty, vice chairman of the organizing committee of the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Convention and leader of the Hugo Award selection team, spoke highly of the Chengdu Science Fiction Convention: "I hope that such a grand event can be held around the world. This conference is full of science fiction, and Chengdu is an excellent place to host the World Science Fiction Convention." Robert J. Sawyer, a famous science fiction writer and the honorary guest of the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Convention, said: "Every minute has exceeded my expectations. It is really shocking. This is the best World Science Fiction Convention ever!"
Professor Esther McCallum-Stewart, Chairman of the 2024 Glasgow World Science Fiction Convention, warmly invited fantasy fans from all over the world to attend the next Glasgow World Science Fiction Convention via video.
During the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Conference, there were more than 1,200 guests from 35 countries and regions around the world, more than 20,000 fantasy fans, and more than 200 themed salons. I believe that the World Science Fiction Conference is just the beginning. In the future, the city of science fiction will make Chengdu more distinctive and the city more recognizable. The development of the entire science fiction industry chain and the new paradigm will provide important fuel for urban development. When China is rising rapidly, science fiction will definitely get better and better. A better Chengdu will make you a better person.