Dragons, wolves and rabbits are currently populating Berlin. Not real ones, however, but people who enjoy “animal disguises”.
Berlin – Finally fur again: After a two-year Corona break, lovers of animal disguises meet again in Berlin for the so-called Eurofurence. According to the organizers, this is the largest meeting in Europe for so-called furries.
Dragons, rabbits and wolves run around in the Estrel Hotel in Neukölln until Sunday. Artists, costume designers and musicians will also be there.
But Corona has left its mark: fewer international furries are taking part in the Eurofurence. “Actually, it’s more international,” says a furry, who calls himself Shoelace and is part of the event’s press team, “but the travel restrictions in other countries have restricted people here a bit”.
The furry scene started with American fantasy fans in the 1980s. Furries are interested in anthropomorphic – human-like – animals and also like to dress up. For this purpose, so-called fursuits are used to bring their self-imagined animal character to life.
“We bring a little bit of magic into the world with the costumes,” says Shoelace, “and of course it’s also a form of self-expression. We live our little madness.” dpa
