So recently I went to a Childe fan birthday event! I’ve been taking part in fan cafe events held by Hoshio Project several times already in Jakarta – last year I joined the Childe birthday event too, this time I took part again as visitor and also merch artist for the merch packages. I made some stickers last time, and a cup cover this year!
I’ve seen fan events or cupsleeve events in other countries before, and when I first heard of one held in Jakarta, I was curious. Especially when it’s actually Childe (or Tartaglia, Ajax, Tatang, whichever you prefer to call him lol) which is one of my favorite characters in Genshin. I signed up to be the merch artist and was interested how the event is going to be like.
Well, I also felt anxious since I was going there by myself for the first time. While I do open booths and streaming to talk to strangers, it felt more nervous to go to a physical event like that – hence I tend to avoid events like parties unless I’m going with someone I know haha. What do I say when I arrive? Who should I talk to? How do I keep up with the conversations? Those kind of worries go through my head.
I ended up going though, and I’m glad I did because I ended up having fun each time! I got to know fellow fans and artists I used to only know online or be mutuals without talking at all before.
I met friendly people and we took pictures of all our merch put together and exchanged freebies gifts, and can just go on discussing random fandom or convention things for hours. It’s a pretty casual style of event without strict rundown of activities.
It’s quite a Childe overdose, it’s a lot to take in to see all these cute and cool Childe merch all put together like this! 
I know some of them are rare and expensive so it’s a surreal feeling to see them directly in front of me…
Besides chatting and enjoying food and drinks, this year we also had bingo and trivia quizzes (I’m sorry I failed you Childe, I can’t use him in a fight so I don’t know his skills as much lol) – and in each event we have door prize raffles of various merch too.
Funny thing that in this year’s event by some power of luck bestowed upon me, I won the door prize of the Childe character standee drawn by Rie.
It’s a bit difficult to bring home, but hey, he made it out safely – the plastic bag makes it look sus but for his safety, okay 
I got some questions from the family but I think at this point they just accept this Childe as a new resident of our home hahaha.
Here are the other merch from the event merch bundle package and gifts I got from others in the event! Artists list are: @fuburger @yuune___ @choccopom @Sheera1407 @kurecchi12_ @honey_buuun @remiremiruu @suisentaur @LacieArts @lacria97 @ipockysaurus @matcharie @kurecchi12_
Let me also share some pics from the previous Childe event last year! I’m still using some of the merch items from that day until now, and I’m relieved to see some familiar faces again on the second event!
While it may feel a bit unusual to explain to go to a fictional character birthday event (like I can imagine my family going huh? but the one having birthday won’t even know or be there! lmao) – I think it’s a fun community event where you get to know fellow fans to chill together.
I appreciate the organizers for arranging the events in a way that it felt friendly for newcomers and for people who start off as strangers to mingle with each other over common interests – since I feel for me it can be pretty intimidating to start talking off with new people and that’s what made me anxious in this kind of social settings.
Joining the merch bundle artists also feels satisfying to see your art as merch with other artists’ work together for a project to celebrate a certain event with other people. I had fun and pretty excited to visit other fan events in the future 
