Star Trek Europe celebrates the franchise’s 50th anniversary at the NEC in Birmingham
It’s only days before Birmingham hosts a major three-day celebration of Star Trek’s 50th anniversary, with the legendary William Shatner – who played Captain Kirk in the original series – officiating the event’s launch on Friday.
Destination Star Trek Europe, a grand Star Trek fan event, takes place this weekend from October 7th-9th, returning to the city’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
Not only is it an opportunity for Trekkies to celebrate everything Star Trek, but the unique gathering is being headlined by some of the franchise’s best-known stars.
Iconic Captain Kirk himself – actor William Shatner – will headline the convention as he’s joined by fellow cast members George Takei (Hikaru Sulu), Christopher Lloyd (Commander Kruge), Walter Koenig (Chekov), Jonathan Frakes (William Riker), Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi), Alexander Siddig (Dr. Julian Bashir), Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax) and Nicole de Boer (Ezri Dax), Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher), Alice Krige (Borg Queen) and the late Leonard Nimoy’s (Spock) son Adam Nimoy.
Original Star Trek stars William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock (Image: CBS)
The original Star Trek cast line-up appeared in several feature-length films (Image: Paramount Pictures)
Cast and crew from the show’s various incarnations will be meeting with fans during the nostalgia-filled weekend for special photo sessions and panel talks across three talk stages, interactive exhibits will allow attendees an opportunity to learn more about Star Trek’s history and its impact on science, space, civil and social rights and technology.
For those who fancy being on the bridge, why not take the helm on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 or NCC-1701-D? Original props and costumes will also be on display in the Destination Star Trek Museum. alongside a Borg hive, a shuttle-craft and a Klingon bird-of-prey.
Destination Star Trek will be held in Birmingham to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary.
Mark Woollard, event organiser, said: “For five decades, Star Trek has influenced the world around us through its voyages to the Final Frontier. Destination Star Trek Europe will honour the series’ impact and celebrate its legions of fans that are inspired to boldly go where no one has gone before.”
The brainchild of Gene Roddenberry, the original Star Trek series debuted on September 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons. Although initially receiving mixed reviews and a lukewarm reception, the show has gone on to become a cult favourite, capturing the imagination of sci-fi fans, inventors and scientists.
New Star Trek series ‘Discovery’ debuts in May 2017 (Image: CBS)
Introducing the world to stars William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei and Leonard Nimoy, the long-running show was also the first to depict an interracial kiss on terrestrial television in the US, and has continued to break new ground, tackling sensitive topics including racism and prejudice, humanitarian concerns, the environment and social politics.
Over fifty years since its original broadcast, Star Trek has spawned five television series and 13 feature films, with a brand new series – Star Trek: Discovery – set to air in May 2017.
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Destination Star Trek is on at the NEC Birmingham between 7th-9th October, 2016. Tickets are available at www.DestinationStarTrek.com.
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