European Pen Shows, How International Are They?

[Venemo]

For a long time I've thought that pen shows are an American thing. But now I found this excellent site http://www.freewebs.com/euroshows/ which tells me that there are some pen shows in Europe as well. There doesn't seem to be as much exposure of these on FPN as of the American ones, though. What are these European shows like?

 

I figure the ones closest to my location would be in Poland and Germany, but I don't speak Polish at all, and speak only a little German (despite the fact that I have an excam certificate which claims otherwise). So I'm wondering, how international are these shows? Are foreigners welcome? Does the audience speak English?

[da vinci]

The Madrid show is attended by some of the international community, as is London. I haven't been to Hamburg but I believe that maybe quite a large show too. None of these is, from the photos I have seen posted of shows in the US, anywhere near as large as Washington LA or SF.

 

I always enjoy Madrid. Great show, good mix of modern and vintage pens.

[Venemo]

What do you guys think about the Katowice pen show?

[jayKellner]

To my mind London is the biggest, although none of the european shows are going to be any close to the ones in the states, but you can find here other type of venues like paperworld in frankfurt where you can find makers, retailers, its different, as its about the industry. Maybe you'll like to check that. Of course you wont see a chap with vintage pens sitting behind vintage pens, and its about something else, nevertheless its a good experience.

[Polop70]

I think Pen Show in Poland is quite international. There are several people from England, Israel, Spain, Germany, Norway, USA etc. When you know English it shouldn't be a problem