As Chirrut Imwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story said,
I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.
George Lucas can probably say the same: the universe he created has a large number of admirers and followers. Today, Star Wars is not just a franchise: for many people, it is a source of inspiration and another world where they live their second life.
Star Wars Celebration was founded in 1999, the same year that the first installment of the prequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, was released. The celebration was held just before the cinema release and honored both the 30th and 40th anniversaries of the premier of the very first movie of the original trilogy (excluding the debut movie).
Every year since 1999 and to this year (excluding 2020-2021 due to the pandemic restrictions), Star Wars Celebration is held in different countries (mostly in states of the US, but the UK, Japan and Germany hosted festivals for once too). All the guests of the event will have a big choice between the things to do and panels to visit.
In 2022, a Star Wars celebration will be hosted by the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. It will include an interactive show floor, screenings, merchandise spots, immersive exhibits, and stages where you can meet the stars of the franchise. Of course, there shall be many more things to see… For now, the organizers keep most of the information secret, but you can have a look at the announced events that cannot be missed:
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Photo Ops and an Autograph Session
If the legends of the Star Wars Universe attend the event, isn’t it a great opportunity to meet your idol in person and maybe even have a little chat with them if luck is on your side? Many actors will be giving autographs and photo sessions at the event.
Joonas Suotamo, who portrayed Chewbacca, legendary Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in all the theatrical movies in the series, Amy Allen, who played the character of Aayla Secura, and many others – all of these people brought their characters to life and made them memorable. Where else will you meet that number of epopea stars at once?
Cosplay competition
There is no doubt that when you walk through the doors of the Anaheim Convention Center, you will be surrounded by well-known characters from the franchise, such as Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and others. Applications for entering the competition are now closed, but you can visit it as a guest and pick your favorites.
Podcast Stage
What is the Podcast Stage? This is a space where fans can listen to live podcasts from the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries. 15 selected podcasts will be available live. Podcasters will present some unique content which is different every time, including interviews, books, and shows; you can also visit open discussions on certain themes and listen to recordings of the archives.
You can have a look at some of the podcast stage performers:
- Star Wars Slash Page, dedicated to contemporary Star Wars comics
- Skytalkers, covering a wide range of Star Wars films, novels, and other media from the saga
- Jedi News,a site that monitors Star Wars news from around the world
And these are only some of the announced podcasts: The Podcast Stage will be hosting around 30 of them in 2022.
Fangroups & tables
Fans who have submitted their applications in advance will host their own exhibits at the Star Wars celebration! It is worth visiting: one of the festival’s biggest surprises, fan tables, will involve visitors in a variety of fun activities.
Official Merchandise
Souvenirs for every taste will be available for purchase during the festival. In the previous year, it was one of the most wanted things to do. Fans could purchase souvenir jackets, exclusive book editions, stylized backpacks, toys, and cups.
As Darth Veider said,
Impressive. Most Impressive.
And it’s not only about Luke Skywalker—Star Wars Celebration is going to stick in your memory forever. A feast for people of all ages and nationalities, united by one thing: their love for the Star Wars Saga and their desire to feel united.
If you are a fan, take your friends and come to the Anaheim Convention Center in the USA on May 26-29, 2022. Everyone is welcome. As Darth Revan once said,
Who I am is not important, my message is.
