Further to the PM’s lockdown update tonight and following extensive discussion with the Tokonatsu team, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the cancellation of Tokonatsu 2020. I know that this will be as disappointing to you as it is to me.

This isn’t the news you were hoping to hear nor was it the news I wanted to give you. Although some of the hospitality industry and other public places may reopen in July, this is only a possibility and is contingent on many factors. The health and safety of all staff and attendees is our top priority. Even if everything were in our favour, we have now lost so much time that even if restrictions were lifted we would be unable to provide you with the most amazing Tokonatsu. The Tokonatsu you deserve to have.

The pandemic has affected the world in ways many of us never imagined. Many events have had to postpone or even cancel, and sadly Tokonatsu is not exempt from this.

I’m not letting you go without your annual weekend of fun though. I’m happy to announce that a Virtual Tokonatsu will commence online on Saturday 1st August. This will initially run for one day only, extending as programming allows. In addition to this, dates have also been secured for next year, running from 29th July - 2nd August 2021.

I know that our attendees are passionate and loyal, and so I call on you for support to make these two events happen. The festival has monthly financial obligations whether it runs or not, normally covered by the sale of tickets each year. Without an event in 2020, it will be difficult for those obligations to be met.

Tokonatsu are honouring all tickets purchased for this year’s event for 2021 which is one of the four options we are giving you below:

• Full refund. This option is open to anyone that used the Pretix ticketing system to complete their registration. (Excludes pre-registration vouchers not yet claimed)
• Transfer your ticket to 2021. This option will be open to everyone, including those that have not yet claimed their vouchers. (Pre-registration codes will be accepted till the deadline for 2021)
• Donation to Tokonatsu. This option will allow you to completely donate your full registration fee to Tokonatsu - we will also use this to mark you as a contributor for Virtual Tokonatsu.
• Partial refund. Like a full refund, this option will allow you to claim back some of your ticket cost, donating the rest to Tokonatsu.

Online form available by clicking here

I hope that you will find at least one option which is suitable for you. However, if you would like to discuss this further or have another way you would like to use your ticket, please get in touch. The above options will remain available as long as possible, but should any restrictions need to be put in place I will announce this with as much notice as possible.

If you’d like to contribute in other ways, I’d love to hear from you. If you have an event, panel, or talk you would like to host online during Virtual Tokonatsu, please get in touch with us.

I apologise for any inconvenience this might cause you, and can’t thank you all enough for the support you have given Tokonatsu over the many years. I can promise you that Tokonatsu is not going away, we will still do something on the original dates this year’s festival, and we will return again - stronger than ever before - on the 29th of July till the 2nd of August 2021.

Stay strong, stay safe, and above all, continue to be amazing.

Thank you

Colin Barker - Myst Chairman

Everyone is welcome to join us on Discord:

Here’s some handy links we’d recommend if you want advice or help during this time:

• NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
• Mind wellbeing advice: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
• Weavesilk: http://weavesilk.com/
• Cute animal livecams: https://explore.org/livecams (edited)