'Bitcoin Funfair' Will Take Digital Currency to Stockholm's Consumers

An event dubbed the Bitcoin Funfair will take place in Stockholm next month with the aim of encouraging use of the digital currency among consumers.

The event, organised by The Forumist, a group of creative Swedish individuals and bitcoin users, will host upcoming designers, entrepreneurs and vintage shops who will showcase and sell their products.

To encourage shopping, visitors will be asked to exchange a minimum of 100 Swedish krona (SEK) into bitcoin, which they will be able to spend, save or exchange back into fiat currency if unused.

When asked about the purpose of the event, Gustav Bagge, content creator at The Forumist, said:

"We just want regular people to discover bitcoins, and help young upcoming artists, designers and innovators learn about the possibilities of permission-less innovation."

The idea, he continued, was to demonstrate to people, business owners, innovators and emerging entrepreneurs that bitcoin is a fun, modern and simple tool for economic transactions.

Something for the kids

The Funfair, described as "a flea market from the future with dazzling colours, delicious food, fascinating products, enchanting music and entertainment", will take place on 14th and 15th February in Stockholm's Södra Theatre.

The organisers have also opened up the event to children. Kids Hack Day, a group which encourages technology-related play among children, will be present to supervise them as they swap, sell or buy items from each other using bitcoin.

Bagge said that "there seems to be a great interest for something like this", and confirmed plans for future events, citing Tokyo or Barcelona as possible destinations.

He added:

"We are tired of reading about hacks and thefts in the mainstream media, when the reality is that bitcoin is an amazing new technology that empowers anyone to start a business."

Funfair image via Shutterstock