Public Safety Guidelines for Mericon

Illustration of the Mericon event.

Public safety

Creating a comfortable and safe environment for all visitors is essential. Please behave respectfully and be mindful of others throughout the event.

Good Conduct and a Safe Atmosphere

  • Do not cause excessive noise, make a mess, or behave in a way that could intimidate or disturb others.
  • Bullying and harassment are not tolerated under any circumstances.
    If you experience or witness bullying or harassment, please contact event staff immediately.

Weapons and Weapon-like Items

  • Bringing any kind of firearm, blade, or weapon-like item to the event is strictly prohibited in accordance with Section 10 of the Finnish Public Order Act.
    Prohibited items include, for example:
    • airsoft guns and other replica weapons
    • decorative swords
    • all types of blades
    • any other item that can be interpreted as a weapon or closely resembles one

Props

Airsoft guns may not be used as props under any circumstances

Please use lightweight, non-harmful materials for props. Solid wooden props and other heavy materials are not allowed.

Large props (such as oversized scythes or swords as tall as the wearer) must be left at the customer service desk.

If your costume includes a weapon-like prop essential for character recognition:

  • bring the prop to staff for inspection and storage
  • the prop may be used only during judging, photography sessions and on stage
  • outside these moments, it must remain stored and out of sight

Cosplay costumes

Costume Restrictions

  • Costumes that closely resemble real military uniforms from the First World War onwards are not permitted.
    This includes modern tactical wear–style outfits.
  • This restriction does not apply to clearly fantastical costumes or outfits set before WWI, such as from Attack on Titan, Hamilton, or Fullmetal Alchemist.

Axis Powers Cosplay

  • Hetalia characters may be cosplayed if the costume is clearly identifiable as a Hetalia design.
  • Overly realistic military-style colours (for example the briefly seen black German uniform) are not allowed.

Symbols

Exception: a black mourning band is allowed if it is an essential part of the character’s design.

Military or otherwise offensive symbols are strictly prohibited.
These include armbands and Iron Cross–style insignia.

Smoking and Storage

Smoking is not allowed within the convention premises. A designated smoking area can be found at the front yard, near the bicycle shelter. Be mindful of other users and keep the area clean.

There are lockers as well as coat racks in the library that are free to use at your own risk for storing jackets, backpacks and such. There are a limited number of lockable storage lockers.