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At the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show, 38,000 visitors celebrated American, Asian and European pop culture trends in the seven halls of Messe Zurich over the weekend.

450 exhibitors provided a huge experience for anime lovers, gamers and film fans with an exciting mix of themes. The attending stars from series, game and social media worlds took a lot of time for the fans and made unforgettable encounters possible.

The organizers are satisfied and look back on a successful festival: "From all sides, the feedback is very positive and we are pleased that the enthusiasm and joy among visitors and exhibitors was again so great and that everyone came again in such large numbers to the exhibition halls despite the beautiful weather." As Switzerland's largest autumn event of this kind, the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show has definitely established itself as a contemporary highlight in the Swiss event and trade fair calendar.

YouTube and TikTok stars generated hours of hype

Long lines of fans formed outside the booths of YouTube veterans iBlali, Cengiz and Domtendo, eager to meet their idols for a selfie or small talk. KingChris, who has around 20 million followers on TikTok, also took time for his Swiss fans. The stage talks with the content creators were also always very well attended and showed the increasing relevance of social media personalities.

Gaming novelties captivated gamers

A visitor magnet was the new Nintendo game Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which fans were able to play at ZURICH POP CON & Game Show before its official release. The brand-new game "Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty" was well received by all sides, as was a fan film premiere. The organizers also presented novelties in the analog area: in the large TCG and board game area, not only the new Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game awaited visitors at the Ravensburger booth, but also the Swiss illustrator Clio Wolfensberger, the artist behind the cards of the popular characters Rapunzel and Aurora. There were long waits at the booths where new VR games could be played or where eSports teams held small tournaments. The Swiss game developers of the SGDA showed their current work to an interested audience.

Industry representatives discussed new youth protection law

A meeting point for the gaming industry was the panel "Jugendschutz bei Filmen und Videospielen: Umsetzung und Auswirkungen des neuen Bundesgesetzes". In an exciting discussion between a representative of the federal government and people from industry associations, those present gained insight into the law and its future prospects.

 

Stars showed closeness to the audience

The stage talks with the star guests from titles such as The Walking Dead, Iron Fist, Overwatch, Final Fantasy XVI, YouTube and Twitch also received applause. The visitors experienced the starguests accessibly and learned one or the other trivia from behind-the-scenes as well as from their private lives.

 

Cosplay Contests and Artist Alley in Focus

As always, reliable highlights were the cosplay contests, for which visitors gathered en masse in front of the Main Stage. The cosplayers presented impressive costumes with rehearsed performances, often in elaborate handwork. There was also a lot to see in the huge Cosplay Village, which took up almost an entire hall: Swiss and international cosplay stars presented their detailed costumes and gave insights into their work.

The Artist Alley was also very well attended throughout, with over 150 artists showing their works from the fields of comics, manga and fantasy, and street artists could be seen creating art live. There was also a lot of amazement in the Tattoo Art Zone, where tattoo artists inked up true works of art on the skin of the visitors.

 

K-Pop, Kendo and Karate provided shows of a special kind

In between talks and panels, demonstrations on the Main Stage included kendo - a modern Japanese martial art performed with bamboo swords and impressive armor. As in the previous year, the best Swiss K-Pop Dance Crews danced on the Main Stage for the festival finale, celebrating the Swiss K-Pop Dance Summit.

Next year's ZURICH POP CON & Game Show will take place on October 5 and 6, 2024. Fans wouldn't have to wait that long, though: the same organizers are also realizing FANTASY BASEL - The Swiss Comic Con from May 9-11, 2024, one of Europe's largest pop culture festivals.

On 30 September and 1 October, the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show will present current trends in pop culture in the 7 halls of the Messe Zurich. There will be stars from series, games and YouTube, exciting stage shows, gaming and virtual reality, cosplay, art, martial arts and much more to experience.

This coming weekend, ZURICH POP CON & Game Show invites you for the fifth time to an eventful weekend full of pop culture at Messe Zurich. The multi-faceted program has some highlights in store.

 

The stars take time for their fans

The organizers are looking forward to the actor Nadia Hilker, known from the most famous zombie series of all time, and Marvel superhero Finn Jones. Overwatch fans can meet three voice actresses of the multiplayer game live: Lucy Pohl, voice of the legendary Swiss character Mercy, Carolina Ravassa, voice of hacker Sombra, and Chloé Hollings, voice of the infamous sniper Widowmaker. Also on site are with Vincent Fallow and Ben Starr, both the German and English voices of Clive Rosfield, the main character of the new Final Fantasy XVI game. The stars are not only briefly seen on a red carpet; at the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show, the actors and voice actors take time for autogrpahs and photo sessions with their fans.

 

Famous personalities from YouTube and Twitch are coming to Switzerland

On the social media front, the organizers are bringing a mix of established creators and talent on the fast track to ZURICH POP CON & Game Show. Joining them are Domtendo, iBlali/Vik, aSmoogl and Cengiz, all of whom have been a staple of the German YouTube scene for years. NiekBeats and Vlesk, who have made a name for themselves as streamers on Twitch, will also be taking part. Joining as well is KingChris, who entertains around 20 million fans with his anime parodies as Kakashi, Naruto, Yor Forger and Sanji. More than 20 creators from the Swiss scene will also be at the festival.

 

Gaming, Esports, Board Games and New Trading Cards

A highlight in the gaming area is the expansive Nintendo Zone, designed in the look of Nintendo's most popular games. Titles such as Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which can even be tried out before the official release, await the visitors here.

The Retro Gaming Zone satisfies the nostalgia: from Nintendo64 to the Gameboy to Playstations of the first generation, the most popular retro consoles are ready to play. Of course, the corresponding games, such as Street Fighter, Pokémon Red/Blue or Super Smash Bros. are not missing. Numerous Esports clans are also present, inviting visitors to "Beat the Pro" duels and small tournaments. In addition to various board games, the new Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game will also be presented. The Swiss illustrator Clio Wolfensberger, who designed two of these cards, will be on site and sign autographs.

 

Specialist panels on current gaming topics

The organizers also provide a stage for current social issues at the festival. The use of artificial intelligence in art is a hot topic of discussion not only in the art world but also at the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show.

Further, experts will speak about the implementation of the new federal law on the protection of minors in the areas of film and video games. The organizers also want to raise awareness. For example, another lecture will explain that micro-purchases in games can promote the development of a gaming addiction. Last but not least, Dr. Judith Mathez, lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, will address the educational use of games in classrooms in her panel.

 

A Europe-leading cosplay line-up

This year's ZURICH POP CON & Game Show boasts an impressive cosplay line-up: Valentine Moon from England, who sews stunning ball gowns, Secret Geek from Switzerland, who is known for her cosplays from the Zelda universe, the internationally successful Nadyasonika from Mexico, German cosplay star Maul Cosplay and many more will be on site. The talents will exhibit their costumes and props in the Cosplay Village and give crafting tips in creative workshops. A highlight will be the original armor and props from the Marvel universe by artist Jarvis Creator from France.

Also this year, cosplay contests will take place on both days of the festival. On Saturday, national and international cosplayers will compete and present their cosplay in a thrilling performance. On Sunday, the stage belongs to the newcomers.

 

Asian Culture and Martial Arts

Asian pop culture is more than bubble tea, anime and "kawaii." That's evident in the Japan/Asian Hall. There, visitors will learn more about Asian culture, experience calligraphy, learn origami and sample authentic Asian street food. Local clubs will demonstrate Asian martial arts on the Martial Arts Stage. Visitors are invited to try out the various martial arts directly on site and perhaps discover a new hobby.

 

Varied art: fantasy, comic and street art

In the Artist Alley, numerous artists exhibit their work. The offer ranges from classic illustrations and abstract paintings to jewelry and homemade trinkets. Fans of urban art can look over the shoulders of the artists in the Urban Art Area while they are spraying their canvases. Each artist has his or her own style and skilfully paints classic lettering or murals on the canvas. Art can also get under your skin - especially in our tattoo art section. There, talented tattoo artists immortalize creative works of art on the bodies of the brave. Those who are lucky enough will receive a small personal work of art from Duckburg from the popular Disney illustrator Ulrich Schröder.

The festival will conclude on Sunday evening with a K-Pop Dance Show on the Main Stage.

 

The organizers recommend buying tickets in advance at See Tickets and arriving by public transport.

The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show is expecting stars from movies, series, games and social media on September 30 and October 1 at the Messe Zürich.

The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show announces the complete line-up with stars from movies, series, games and social media. In stage shows, talks and photo and autograph sessions, visitors will experience their idols up close and personal.

 

Established creators from the gaming community

On social media, the organizers are relying on a mix of established creators and talent on the fast track. Among them is Domtendo, who has been producing videos around Nintendo games for more than ten years. On YouTube, the German has almost 1.5 million fans following him. iBlali is also a permanent fixture on the German-language YouTube scene: he became known for his wild comedy formats over 10 years ago. Today, he regularly entertains his fans with real talk and reaction content. aSmoogl and Vlesk have also been an integral part of the gaming community on Twitch and YouTube for years.

 

Cosplay, Realtalk, and cool Creators

Not only as a streamer on Twitch but also with her imaginative cosplays from games, anime and manga, Farbenfuchs leaves her mark on the community. NiekBeats is also part of the party, showing with his authentic style on YouTube how deep and yet funny real talk can be. KingChris, known for his gaming, anime and cosplay content, is a high-flyer in the social media bubble. As Kakashi, Naruto, Yor Forger or Sanji, Chris entertains over 20 million fans with his anime parodies. Over 20 creators from the Swiss scene will also be at the festival.

 

Actors give a look behind the scenes

Not missing at the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show are actors from successful series: The organizers are looking forward to Nadia Hilker, known from the most famous zombie series of all time, and Marvel superhero Finn Jones. The two will give visitors a look behind the scenes in exciting stage talks and chat not only about their respective careers, but also about one or two little things from their private lives. In addition, fans have the opportunity to ask their idols the questions that have been burning under their nails for a long time in Q&A talks. Of course, the two are also available for photos and autographs.

 

Voice Actors from Overwatch and Final Fantasy XVI

Fans of the multiplayer game Overwatch can look forward to a visit from no less than three voice actors: Lucy Pohl, the voice of the legendary Swiss character Mercy, Carolina Ravassa, the voice of hacker Sombra, and Chloé Hollings, voice of the infamous sniper Widowmaker. Also on hand are Vincent Fallow and Ben Starr, both the German and English voices of Clive Rosfield, the main character of the new Final Fantasy XVI game.

For those who would like photos or autographs from the star guests, the corresponding times as well as the stage program will soon be available on the website www.zurichpopcon.ch.

The organizers recommend buying tickets in the official presale at See Tickets and arriving by public transportation.

Switzerland's largest gaming and pop culture festival in fall will showcase a wide range of pop culture phenomena at Messe Zürich on September 30 and October 1, 2023.

From exclusive game releases to try out, to well-known streamers and content creators, creative cosplay shows, comic and anime art, and a rich selection of Asian street food, the event offers a diverse range of experiences.

 

Gaming, esports and trading cards in focus

Not less than three of the seven exhibition halls at ZURICH POP CON & Game Show are dedicated to current gaming titles, cult classics and nostalgic retro games and consoles. Sonic Superstars and the two Ubisoft titles Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Just Dance 24 can be played at the festival. In the large Nintendo area, highlights such as Pikmin 4, Everybody 1-2-Switch! or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will also thrill visitors.

Numerous Esports teams invite you to "Beat the Pro" duels and fun tournaments at their booths in the Esports Hub.

Ravensburger presents the new Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game in Switzerland.

 

Face to face with stars of the gaming and YouTube scene

This year, ZURICH POP CON & Game Show is expanding its lineup of content creators and online talent. Domtendo, who has been releasing Nintendo game-related videos for his nearly 1.5 million fans for over a decade, and Vik from iBlali, who is one of the veterans of the German YouTube scene, will meet their community and talk about everyday life as a content creator on stage. Three voice actors from the popular game Overwatch and two from the successful Final Fantasy series will also be on stage and available for autographs. More talents and also movie stars will be announced soon.

 

Cosplay as a living art form

Cosplay brings characters from popular movies, games and anime into the real world. The international cosplay scene will be in the spotlight at ZURICH POP CON & Game Show. Cosplay contests will take place on both days, with national and international cosplayers presenting their elaborate costumes in impressive performances. On Sunday, the stage belongs exclusively to the newcomers. The Cosplay Village offers a unique opportunity to get in touch with the artists behind the costumes and to admire their works of art at close range.

In Artist Alley, artists and small business owners will present their creative works and Disney cartoonist Ulrich Schröder will bring Donald Duck and other inhabitants of Duckburg to Zurich.

 

Experience Japanese culture

Japanese pop culture is more than bubble tea, anime and "kawaii." The organizers will demonstrate this in Hall 7, where visitors can dive deeper into Japanese culture, learn origami techniques, sample authentic Asian street food and even plan their next trip to Asia. On the stage, local clubs will demonstrate Japanese martial arts.

 

Tips in advance

The organizers recommend purchasing tickets in official advance at See Tickets and arriving by public transportation.

Over 400 exhibitors and an international program inspired over the weekend on more than 30,000 square meters about 34,000 fans of gaming, film and comic worlds. For two days, the seven halls of Messe Zürich were the meeting place for pop culture enthusiasts.

The festival, which took place for the first time in 2017 under the name ZURICH GAME SHOW, expanded its thematic area and thus met the ravages of time. At the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show, movie stars met urban artists and female gamers met K-pop dancers. "There has never been such a mix of themes at Messe Zürich. The audience came en masse and was enthusiastic all around," summed up the organizers.

Gaming is and remains a festival highlight

Visitors could play video game classics and new games on consoles and PCs. National and international eSports teams challenged gamers: for two days, a speedrun marathon was also celebrated to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders. Countless gaming stations were available; well-known brands were present as well as representatives of Swiss game developers.

European, American and Asian pop culture: a unique mix of themes

In addition to tattoo, street, comic and manga art, there were also show acts to marvel at: wrestling, airsoft, VR activities, pinball machines provided plenty of action. Visitors could also let off steam on the Just Dance Stage and in the Silent Disco. For the first time, a Japan Hall was set up at the festival, where traditional Japanese martial arts such as kendo or jujutsu made the world of the samurai tangible and calligraphy, origami and Japanese street food delighted fans.

Star line-up of the extra class: Fantastic Beasts, Stranger Things and The Sandman

The line-up of invited movie stars was particularly well received. Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler, the dream team of Queenie Goldstein and Jacob Kowalski from the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts, were in attendance and enchanted Muggles and magicians alike.
Vanesu Samunyai from "The Sandman", Tom Wlaschiha from "Stranger Things" and "Game of Thrones", Lucy Martin from "Vikings" and Lourdes Faberes from "Good Omens" and the latest James Bond film "No Time to Die" offered a first-class stage program.

Next Level: Enter the next round

Next year's ZURICH POP CON & Game Show will take place from September 30 to October 1, 2023 will take place. The same organizers also realize the FANTASY BASEL - The Swiss Comic Con from 18 to 20 May 2023.

 

This weekend, ZURICH POP CON & Game Show celebrates all topics of European, American and Asian pop culture on more than 30,000 square meters. A hybrid of festival and trade fair, the convention brings gaming and film worlds to life for two days with over 400 exhibitors.

 

Cinema & TV: Convincing Star Lineup

With Dan Fogler and Alison Sudol, the dream team from the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts has been announced for the festival stage. Actors and actresses from Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Vikings, The Sandman and James Bond will also hold stage talks, sign autographs and take photos with attendees.

Gaming: Tournaments, Swiss Games and Game Premieres in Zurich

Two exhibition halls are dedicated to gaming. In a huge Nintendo Zone, novelties and classics can be played, players compete against each other in the Splatoon 3 and SuperSmash Bros Ultimate Championships, and at the HP OMEN booth, visitors can compete against the professional players of the internationally successful "BIG Team Valorant" from Berlin. Other eSports teams such as the Swiss Fortnite and Valorant legends from Ovation eSports will also be on site, running tournaments and promotions at their booths.

Games like FIFA 23, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, LEGO Brawls, NBA 2k23, Wanted: Dead, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and many more can be played on consoles and PCs at the festival. Game premieres such as "The Last Oricru" will also be shown.

The best national and international speedrunners will celebrate a Speedrun Marathon for Charity, raising funds for Doctors Without Borders.

The Swiss Game Developers Association, representing the interests of Swiss game developers, will present the Swiss game industry and introduce the nominees of the Swiss Game Awards 2022, the best Swiss games.

Cosplay: Bringing Movie Worlds to Life

Cosplayers recreate the costumes of their favorite characters from video games and movies with a lot of patience and creativity, inspiring their communities on social media. The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show will host cosplayers from all over the world. Hakken, a model and cosplay star with a fanbase of almost four million followers, will be traveling from Malaysia, German cosplayer Maul is best known for his detailed impersonation of Geralt von Riva from The Witcher, and many Swiss cosplayers will also be on hand. Visitors can immerse themselves in this exciting world at the daily cosplay competitions.

Japan Hall: From Martial Arts to Calligraphy

Over the weekend, the top hall of Messe Zürich will be transformed into a dojo where Asian martial arts such as kendo, karate, ninpo and ju-jutsu can be tried out. Japanese tattoo art, manga artists, origami and calligraphy can be viewed and also tested yourself.

And of course, a diverse range of Asian street food such as karaage, gyoza, momos, bubble tea or Japanese soft ice may not be missing.

Tattoo, Urban & Comic Art

Merchandisers bring products from popular movies, video games and comics to Zurich, and manga and comic artists from around the world show their work. Live art is also being created, with tattoo and street art artists creating art right in the halls. Attractions such as slot machines, the Just Dance Stage, a Silent Disco, an Airsoft course or wrestling show blocks offer a varied program.

The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show in a Nutshell

The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show is the largest festival in Switzerland in the fall for fans of gaming, cosplay, digital entertainment, comics, anime, manga and K-Pop. On the weekend of October 1 & 2, it celebrates all facets of European, American and Asian pop culture. More than 400 exhibitors will transform all seven halls of Messe Zürich into a festival of a special kind on more than 30,000 square meters.

Two days of fun, joy, action and surprises are in store: On Saturday October 1, the exhibition halls are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday October 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This coming weekend, Zurich will once again be visited by world-famous stars from the world of cinema. But instead of only briefly on a red carpet as at other festivals, the film stars will be present at the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show from October 1 - 2 at the Messe Zürich for two days with photo and autograph sessions for visitors.

 

From the Harry Potter spin-off "Fantastic Beasts" are equal to two Actors present: The magical dream couple Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski) and Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein) will enchant visitors with their joint performances and bring their lively romance between muggle and witch to the big stage.

From the current Netflix hit series "The Sandman," actress Vanesu Samunyai is in attendance for. Also part of the cast and guest in Zurich is Lourdes Faberes, who is also known from the fantasy series "Good Omens" and the latest James Bond film "No Time to Die." Fans of "Stranger Things" and "Game of Thrones" can look forward to Tom Wlaschiha and Lucy Martin brings what is probably the most successful Viking series "Vikings" to Zurich.

International Cosplay Line-Up

International and national stars are also signed up from the cosplay scene. Cosplayers all over the world are among creative influencers on social media. Hakken from Malaysia embodies characters from popular manga, games and anime such as Naruto or Jujutsu Kaisen, inspiring nearly four million followers on Instagram. European cosplay greats like Maul Cosplay from Germany, Cinderys from France, EzySummers Cosplay from Bulgaria and Swiss cosplayers like Stylouz Cosplay or Folkenstal also reach thousands of followers worldwide. The daily cosplay shows are among the highlights of the festival.

Artist Alley

In the large Artist Alley, more than 100 urban artists, tattoo artists and draftsmen from around the world can be discovered. The renowned Disney cartoonist Ulrich Schröder, who has been creating residents from Donald Duck's hometown of Duckburg for over 30 years, is invited as a star guest.

The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show is suitable as an exciting destination for the whole family thanks to the enormous variety of exhibitors, workshops and stage programs.

ZURICH POP CON & Game Show, October 1 - 2, 2022, Messe Zürich: The organizers recommend using the advance sale via Starticket / See Tickets and arriving by public transport.

 

Cosplay star Hakken from Malaysia already has over 3.6 million followers on Instagram and is coming to Switzerland for the first time for a guest appearance at the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show.

Hakken is active as a model and in the cosplay scene, the star is best known for the detailed cosplays from popular manga, games and anime.

Hakken's cosplay characters include Itachi from Naruto, Nanami Kento and Suguru Geto from the Japanese manga series Jujutsu Kaisen, Jumin Han from the South Korean videogame Mystic Messenger, Mafuyu Sato from the anime Given or SilverAsh from the mobile game Arknights.

Hakken will be present both days of ZURICH POP CON & Game Show in the Cosplay Village and on the Main Stage in the jury for the daily cosplay contests. Other announced cosplay lineup guests include Maul Cosplay from Germany, EzySummers Cosplay from Bulgaria, and Swiss cosplay greats Folkenstal, Stylouz Cosplay and Minus10DegreesCelsius Cosplay.

At the festival, all facets of European, American and Asian pop culture will be brought to life. In addition to the cosplay scene, the focus is also on comics, street & tattoo art, board games as well as cinema and current TV series such as Stranger Things or Vikings. Fans of anime, manga or K-Pop can discover and enjoy Asian art, music, street food, sports and merchandise in various workshops. As before, the hottest games, VR technologies and eSport teams as well as the latest hardware will be presented in all seven exhibition halls. At various tournaments, visitors can measure their own skills. Swiss game developers will also be present and the nominees of the SWISS GAME AWARD 2022 will be presented.

Two days of fun, joy, action and surprises are in store: On Saturday October 1, the exhibition halls will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday October 2, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Further program items, highlights and guests will be announced on an ongoing basis.

The largest gaming event in Switzerland expands its thematic area. The focus on gaming and eSports will be complemented with hip areas of European, American and Asian pop culture

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On the weekend of October 1 and 2, 2022, gaming & eSports, VR & film worlds, arts & comics, anime & manga, action & entertainment, fashion & beauty, merchandise to food & lifestyle can be experienced up close in the halls of Messe Zürich. A highlight are the national and international cosplay contests on the main stage. Of course, the ZURICH POP CON & Game Show program also includes stage talks as well as photo and autograph sessions with exciting personalities and national as well as international stars from the gaming, film, and pop culture worlds!

The ZURICH GAME SHOW was able to attract over 34,000 visitors in 2019 and establish itself as the largest gaming event in Switzerland. In the past two years, the show could not take place due to pandemic. The organizers, who also organize the internationally successful FANTASY BASEL - The Swiss Comic Con, have used this time to adapt the existing concept and make it even more diverse by expanding the themes. Gaming and eSports will continue to be focal points of the festival and Swiss games will have a strong presence. The SGDA Swiss Game Design Awards, where the best Swiss games and game designers will be honored, will again be held in partnership with ZURICH POP CON & Game Show.

The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show is the Swiss festival for everyone who loves Asian Pop Culture and new trends in addition to gaming. Here gamers meet otakus and artists meet content creators. Comic, street art, tattoo, anime and manga artists will be exhibiting their art, and visitors can get active themselves at creative workshops and in action zones. The latest games and virtual reality experiences can be tested and eSports tournaments followed. Talks and panels with artists and stars will take place on several stages. In addition to a large merchandise zone, fashion will be on display, beauty and digital trends will be presented, and food areas will be available to treat the eyes and the palate. Ticket sales start on July 7, 2022

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