First off, wish all ambassadors and AFOLs from the United of States have a great 4th of July on behalf of the entire LCE team.
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You may need to wait for a year to watch the Guardian of the Galaxy Vol.2, but the great stories are happening everyday, everywhere in this community. So now, LCE presents, No Rest for the Wicked Vol.2 (Yeah seriously, I am just stealing the title LoL) – casting by Tanja Friberg, Jacky Chen and of course the awesome AFOL community in Asia.
SCENE ONE: Japan Brickfest 2017 (Kobe Fan Weekend)
“I love to see those happy kids getting inspired at AFOL events ---- @Edwin Knight- KLUG”
This was the 3rd year of the Japan Brickfest since everything started back in 2015 on this small artificial island of Kobe. Edwin and his crew from Kansai LUG managed to gather about 70 AFOLs (mainly local) to display their MOCs and exchange their ideas about the LEGO hobby at that time. However, the growth speed of this event is like a rocket, the number of participants has been doubling year by year. For 2017, 270 AFOLs from 11 different countries/regions actively participated while three large halls filled up with those coolest LEGO models and its lovely builders.
Despite the event itself is mainly serving the purpose of connecting AFOLs across the world, the committee always try very hard to make sure that kids can also enjoy the event by having brick pools, running kids contests and workshops.
During the AFOL party, there was even a celebration for the 10th anniversary to a group of guests traveled from Thailand (T-LUG) and connected with Paredes de Coura Fan Weekend via webcam.
More photos of the Japan Brickfest 2017 on flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHskXzdBbg
SCENE TWO: Continue the Tour in Asia
“The MOCs of Asian AFOLs maybe smaller, but more into the details. I really love the “attitude” that reflecting from those models ---- @Tanja | LEGO”
After a quick stop at LEGOLAND Japan, we flew over to South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Our brain constantly gives us the illusion of no idea where we are at for a few seconds. Average two days in each country, the biggest challenge for a connected trip like this is to keep up the same spirit level but fortunately meeting with AFOLs is always energetic. In South Korea, Jae Won from Brickland has organized a builder’s sharing workshop which enables us to hear how the AFOLs think behind their models in a very constructive way. In Singapore, our colleagues are kind enough to open the LEGO office to facilitate a Sing AFOL gathering where Tanja and I are able to share the story of LCE. Our final stop in Malaysia, thanks to the fantastic agenda made by LOM, we were invited into their gathering where we met with THE Lendy Tayag, the Malaysian fan designer who build the Voltron which is still under the LEGO Ideas final evaluation. Good luck with the review!
More photos of the Asia Tour on flickr: (to be updated)
SCENE THREE: AFOL Festival 2017, Shanghai
“It feels like a dream come true after so many years ---- @Prince Jiang | Heroes Club LUG”
People always say that China is too large to connect a bunch of friends from all over the country. Many of the Chinese AFOLs have never met with each other in person. Many of them were the only one in their city who called themselves “AFOL”. And many of them were even considering to give up the hobby because of the loneliness. Fortunately, the event came in and successfully brought together 60+ AFOLs from 20 different cities of China into this awesome party.
Prepared for more than 8 months by Prince and his steering group in Heroes Club, the very first Shanghai AFOL Festival sailed into reality last weekend. It’s really like giving birth to a baby. No matter how painful the process was, the moment you see the true joy and gratitude from those AFOL’s face, it’s all worth. I guess that’s how Prince and his crew feel about it.
More photos of Shanghai AFOL Festival 2017 on flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm3ZeFPR (photo credit to JXM and Fox)
Overall it was an extremely busy month but at the same time absolutely inspirational. Seeing how devoted the community can be is also pushing us to do a better job otherwise no rest for the wicked!
Edited by Jacky Chen | LEGO
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