Knutepunkt
Knutepunkt is an annual Nordic role-playing conference which has been running since the first event in Norway in 1997. It cycles through each of the Nordic countries as hosts; in Sweden it's called Knutpunkt, in Denmark Knudepunkt and in Finland Solmukohta. In English the translation would be meeting point or nodal point.
Though the conference started out strictly as an event for larp (Live action role-playing), and it's 3 founders Erlend Eidsem Hansen, Hanne Grasmo and Margrete Raaum all were larp organisers of 360 degrees Nordic Style larps, Knutepunkt has since embraced role-playing games in a more general fashion.
Today the conference still has an emphasis on larp, but programs devoted to educational larping, freeform, blackbox larps, game theory and traditional tabletop role-playing are common.
List of Knutepunkts
| Conference | Location & time |
|---|---|
| Knutepunkt 1997 | Oslo, Norway |
| Knutpunkt 1998 | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Knudepunkt 1999 | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Solmukohta 2000 | Helsinki, Finland |
| Knutepunkt 2001 | Oslo, Norway |
| Knutpunkt 2002 | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Knudepunkt 2003 | Copenhagen, Denmark (February 2003) |
| Solmukohta 2004 | Espoo, Finland (February 2004) |
| Knutepunkt 2005 | Oslo, Norway (February 2005) |
| Knutpunkt 2006 | Barnens Ö (Children's Island), Sweden (April 2006) |
| Knudepunkt 2007 | Helsinge, Denmark. (February2007) |
| Solmukohta 2008 | Nurmijärvi, Finland (April 2008) |
| Knutepunkt 2009 | Oslo, Norway (April 2009) |
| Knutpunkt 2010 | Katrineholm, Sweden (April 2010) |
| Knudepunkt 2011 | Helsinge, Denmark. (February 2011) |
| Solmukohta 2012 | Nurmijärvi, Finland (April 2012) |
| Knutepunkt 2013 | Haraldvangen, Norway (April 2013) |
| Knutpunkt 2014 | Halmstad, Sweden (April 2014) |
| Knudepunkt 2015 | Ringe, Denmark (February 2015) |
| Solmukohta 2016 | Baltic Sea, Finland (March 2016) |
| Knutepunkt 2017 | Oslo, Norway (February 2017) |
| Knutpunkt 2018 | Lund, Sweden (March 2018) |
| Knudepunkt 2019 | Vejen, Denmark (February 2019) |
| Solmukohta 2020 | Held online due to global COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned for Tampere, Finland. (2-5 April 2020) |
Knutepunkt Books
Since 2001 (except 2002) the Knutepunkt conferences have been accompanied by books on larp theory generally called the "Knutepunkt-books".
Knutepunkt Etiquette
Over the years, a number of etiquette conventions have been generally adopted by the Knutepunkt community.
Empty Chair Rule. When taking the last seat in a table, pull up a new empty chair to signify that more people are welcome to join you.
Official Language is English. If one foreigner joins your party, everyone should immediately switch to English.
One-Hour Parties. It is customary that no room party lasts for more than 60 minutes, in order to make sure that the event is dynamic and people keep meeting new people. When Knutepunkt is held in larger cabins, this rule tends to be more relaxed.
Deaf Applause. During panels, debates and presentations, deaf applause (waving your hands) is preferred over clapping, as it does not interrupt the speakers.
Don't Repeat an Argument. In heated debates, it is very rarely necessary to repeat an argument expressed by another person. Instead, give room to new arguments.
Don't Talk About Your Character. While everyone loves to hear about interesting larps, going too subjective makes you a bore.
