Dear Go friends,

the Austrian Go-Federation proudly announces the European Go Congress 2007,
held in Villach from 14th – 28th July!
Website: http://egc2007.goverband.at/ translation in languages continuous in
progress.

Villach is a town in Austrians South, with comfortable climate: On 500m
height, surrounded by mountains, unites all the advantages of both,
mediterranean and alpine climates, in a unique harmony. It is sunny, but not
too hot. The town itself offers all one might wish, and at the same time it
is small enough for keeping overview and not getting lost. The 60.000
residents are well known for good host-friendship, lot of cultural
facilities and gastronomy. Around Villach one can enjoy the nature, go
hiking or swimming.



During EGC2007, there will also be other events in the region, like a
festival of classical music 13th July – 26th August
http://www.carinthischersommer.at/ or the World Bodypainting Festival 16th –
22nd July http://www.bodypainting-festival.com/english/home_en.php

Touristic possibilities are well sorted on
http://www.kaerntencard.co.at/englisch/index.asp

The Kärnten Card, which makes good price for intensive visit will be
avalaible for some little additional discount to EGC-participants (or
companion -> just register with “no events”)
We hope, that everyone finds something for his or her taste



The EGC itself will be held in a modern Congress Centre with nice panorama
view http://www.ccv.at/
As you know, the participation on EGC2007 is open to every Go-player, no
matter wherefrom.
(Just the champion-title is restricted to citizens of EGF-member-countries)



Accomodations are available in all price classes. Sleeping bag places in gym
halls make sure, that everyone can afford the stay (€ 40.- for whole EGC
period, excl. breakfast), 5*-, 4*- and 3*-hotels make sure, that comfort can
be enjoyed; and in between you have the youth hostel, boarding houses, and
others. If you organise yourself in groups, we can help you for apartments
or other solutions in the “middle class”.
Again: We hope that everyone finds something for his or her taste.

Please note: 3* - 5* hotels have to be booked over the local tourism board,
(form is on our site) – they are supporting the EGC in a great cooperation.
If you contact these hotels yourself, they will tell you, that they are
booked out. (many beds are reserved for EGC-participants, and can just be
booked by EGC-registration.)
The Kolpinghaus (one of the medium-price-solutions) is already sold out.
Youth hostel and gym hall are organised by us. (both just for the whole EGC
period bookable)
For all the other accomodations we give links on our website, but you have
to contact them yourself. – If any problems occur, we can support you, of
course.
All in all we made sure, that more than 1.000 Go players can participate on
EGC2007 Villach.

What you can await: Beside the European Championship and many side-tourneys,
we assured a lot of tuition for you. There is already a schedule fixed for a
total of 90 working hours from pros for you – divided on
2-digit-kyu-workshops, 1-digit-kyu-workshops, Dan-workshops, lectures in a
big hall with head-set and projector, sim-games and commentaries to be
published in the EGC-bulletin.
We made these early agreements, so that you can see in advance, what the
minimum is, what you can await. Additional pro-activities will be arranged
short before, as it has always been. This means, that you probably will have
to decide between workshops which take place at the same time, as the
schedule is filled already, and additional possibilities will follow.

The team which will work at the site for you will be very international, not
only from Austria. We think, that an international event needs an
international team. One example is a pair from Sweden (Leif+Martina), which
also organises the EGC2008 (http://egc2008.eu/en/) – this is an Austrian
initiative to hand over organising experience. Another innovation to rise
the level of European Go organisation are 2 organisers meetings on the
EGC2007, where you can exchange ideas and experiences.



EGC2007 will offer kindergarten for the youngest

There will be many side-events like shogi-workshop, foto-competition,
juggling- and other sport-competitions, . . .

Beside lectures on Go-techniques also about cultural background, about
Go-programming, …
… yes, and you can play against a new Go-prog on 9x9 (maybe 13x13) and win
money or material prizes.



Whoever wants may tell us his or her postal adress to receive EGC2007-flyers
or touristical informations to distribute them among the Go-friends.



Be welcomed in Villach, enjoy the game of Go, the science of Baduk, and the
art of WeiQi!



Please forward this email to your Go-friends, and within the structures of
your national Go-federation.



See you in Villach!



Simon Gemel

in the name of the Austrian Go Federation