We attended the Star Wars Celebration 2023, an event that took place from 7 to 10 April at the Excel in London. Here is the report of our experience.
Kilometers of lines, a plethora of cosplayers, numerous lightsabers aimed high and a lot of enthusiasm. From the first moment we crossed the threshold of the Excel in London, we realized how the fandom’s passion for Star Wars, a saga that has now transcended the boundaries of pop culture, has not faded at all despite the reactions controversial to the sequel trilogy. The franchise has been able to renew itself over the last few years by approaching the television landscape and bringing new characters such as Din Djarin and Grogu to the stage, who have become a real money machine for the Disney giant. Just think of how the banners of The
Mandalorian have been placed at the entrance to the convention Star Wars Celebration 2023 together with “sacred monsters” of the saga such as Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. There were many who lined up at 6 in the morning waiting for the gates to open at 10 (9:30 for those who had purchased the VIP packages).
Star Wars Celebration: close encounter with the protagonists of the saga
As per the traditional annual, in addition to the announcements on the future of the franchise, which this time were really rich, the Star Wars Celebration allows fans to meet their favorite characters up close who take turns treading the stage to tell anecdotes about the projects in which they have participated . These are approximately 15-minute meetings, broadcast live on the StarWars.com YouTube channel, which allow you to take a more personal and intimate look at the actors and actresses who have made the franchise unforgettable. And it is precisely at this juncture that we were able to see up close Kathleen Kennedypresident of Lucasfilm, hear Dave Filoni proclaim his venerable respect for George Lucas and his love for the saga and witness the jubilation of fans as he enters the scene of Ewan McGregor e
Hayden Christensen. The latter in particular was greeted by a real stadium ovation that almost brought him to tears. A certificate of recognition and esteem for the actor who has returned to play Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader almost twenty years after Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. The highlight, however, was represented by the surprise appearance of Cameron Monaghan who spoke about the highly anticipated video game Eat Survivorproving once again that he can be a perfect Cal Kestis even in live action.
In addition to participating in the various panels i protagonists of the saga they are available for photo and autograph sessions that take place at specific times during the convention and need to be booked in advance to avoid “sold out”. This is also the beauty of the Star Wars Celebration: shaking hands, getting excited, embracing your favorite character live. To take part in the announcement panels this year it was necessary to register for an online lottery and hope to win the coveted ticket, while the aforementioned meetings were open to all but to position oneself near the stage, a few meters away from the barricades , it was necessary to be in position from the very beginning of the convention.
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Merchandising a go-go
Exclusive caps, t-shirts, pins, funko pops. The Star Wars Celebration is the pinnacle of themed merchandising, the paradise for collectors. Are you looking for a particular novel, a comic that you can’t find anywhere or an object made especially for the convention? Star Wars Celebration is the place for you. Not to mention the various themed locations recreated to perfection: stands that will immerse you inside the Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon or on Tatooine.
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Celebrate the past to look to the future
A convention of this kind represents the ideal location to remember the historical episodes of the franchise. One of the most exciting panels of Star Wars Celebration 2023 was the one related to the upcoming 40th anniversary of Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, perhaps the most significant chapter of the entire saga. The triumph of Luke and the Rebels, the redemption of Anakin and his rebellion againstEmperor Palpatine, a celebration of all that Star Wars stands for. The video messages sent remotely by Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford were moving, thanking the audience present for the unconditional support shown over the years.
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When the Force unites fans from all over the world
How to describe, in essence, the Star Wars Celebration? This is the ultimate convention for all fans of a galaxy far, far away. An unmissable moment of celebration for those who grew up admiring the deeds of the intrepid Luke, Han and Leiafor those who have started with the prequel trilogy and finally for those who have approached the saga only in recent years with Episode VII. An event that welcomes fans from all over the world who share a passion for the special universe born from the visionary mind of George Lucas. The Star Wars Celebration hadn’t gone overseas for seven years and the return to England happened in the best possible way. And now all eyes are on 2025 when the convention will fly to Japan: a year off to recharge the batteries, and also the wallets, to go back to dreaming with the most famous saga in the world. May the force be with you.
