What is this?
Barricades: A Les Mis Convention is a volunteer-run, online-only convention that will take place on 12-14 July 2024. It will include academic and fan tracks, featuring panels on all aspects of Les Misérables and its adaptations, and even the fandom itself, which has endured from the release of the novel in 1862 to the present day. Included in the programming are presentations by our Guests of Honour, TBA.
Barricades is, at its core, an exploration of the themes set forth by Hugo in his work. As such, proceeds from the event will support Black and Pink, an prison abolitionist organization dedicated to abolishing the criminal punishment system. Les Misérables is a study in the difference individual people can make to the lives of others and it is our goal to continue this legacy.
When is the con taking place?
Barricades will take place online, on 12-14 July 2024.
Where is the con taking place?
The con is taking place entirely online, 12-14 July 2024. Presentations and panels will take place on Zoom, and attendees will have access to our Barricades Con Discord Server to continue the conversations outside of scheduled programming!
Who is this for?
The convention is for fans of Les Misérables in all its forms – the book, the musical, stage, screen, and literary adaptations, and more!
What kind of content is the con going to have?
The con’s programming is split into two tracks – a fan track and an academic track – with crossover between the two and plenary sessions from our Guests of Honour. Programming across both tracks will consist of paper presentations, Q&As, panels, discussions, roundtables, games, social events, and more.
Is this an academic conference?
Barricades is an online fan convention, for fans, featuring fans’ work, and run by fans. There are elements of an academic conference within the con, in that there will be an academic track through which students and scholars will be presenting their research at the con. This track is designed to make academic work surrounding Les Mis more accessible to fans outside academia. Fanwork is also often scholarly in nature, and fans will be presenting their work as part of the academic track if best suited to it. However, there will also be a fan track, with discussion panels and other programming common to fannish conventions, and we encourage crossover between the two tracks!
Is this just for canon-era fans?
Barricades will have something for everyone! We welcome programming that focuses on any aspect of Les Mis and/or any of its adaptations and its fandom: canon era, modern AUs, novel, theatre, historical context, fanworks, and more.
How can I get involved?
All planning and organising for the con is currently taking place on our dedicated Barricades Discord server. Come and say hello if you’d like to get involved! You can be involved as a volunteer at any level of time commitment, large or small, or just share your thoughts on elements in progress without formally volunteering.
Is anyone getting paid for their work on this/Is anyone making a profit from this?
The con is entirely organised and staffed by volunteers. Any profits made, above the cost of operations and seed money for next year’s con, will be donated to Black and Pink National.
Do presenters and panellists need to pay registration for the con?
Yes. Registration will £12 and will open at the end of July. Scholarships are available.
Will programming items be available to watch after the con?
Yes! The majority of presentations and panels are being recorded on an opt-in basis and will be available for registered attendees to watch for 2 weeks after the con, so don’t worry if you’re not able to attend live.
What is the ‘Dead Dog’?
The Dead Dog panel or party is the traditional name for the last informal session of a convention, after the end of official programming. It’s an opportunity to wrap up the weekend, thank our volunteers, take comments about what went well and suggestions for what we can do better in future, and take our time saying our goodbyes.
Will programming items be subtitled?
Yes! We’re working on making the con as accessible as possible. Some presentations and panels are being prerecorded and these will be subtitled in advance by our volunteers. For the presentations and panels being presented live, the live transcription option will be enabled on Zoom. Slides for the presentations will be available on our Discord server prior to the start of the con.
