The fur fanatics take Neukölln

Here speaks the fox. And only the fox. Marko he is, rotfellig, as it should be, and sitting on hand of Markus Nowak. The tinkered him, no customization, the computer scientist, typical Mitdreißiger, light brown hair, glasses with yellow lenses Hochdioptrie, CSI-Miami-vest, has bought extra for a 3-D printer, it has more than 1000 euros for paid. That tells Markus Nowak not even no it all says Marko, the fox on his hand.

Who comes by these days at Hotel Estrel at the Neukölln Sun Alley, could meet some wondrous forms. At the entrance of the tiger asks the rabbit after fire, but speaks only French, then they smoke in an intimate circle.

Berlin's largest bed castle transformed into Europe's largest human zoo."The hotel was already jam-packed," says Michael Graf, 29, of Winterthur in Switzerland. He is one of the organizers of the Eurofurence, one of the largest meeting places for the 2000 "furries" who sit in Neukölln since Thursday.

They are characterized hybrids of humans and animals, running around in giant fur costumes and communicate with sign language. A like-minded people meeting, convention they say in business terms. This is about "Furry fandom" to German as: fur being a fan. So it is somehow to people's love for fur, for the Animal and human. As so often in the range of marginal Partikularkulturen it is difficult for outsiders to find a common term. The best is probably that of "anthropomorphic animal", the upright walking, human sentient and often talking animal. "Most of us have proper alter egos as the animals from which they are attracted," says Michael Graf. He was, for example, a Lynx, says the trained high school teacher."Lynx are like cats elegant, curious and a bit lazy. This suits me. "

The Eurofurence in the Estrel hotel is still to Sunday unite all those who share this love of the animal people or human animals. Which can be design as a comic or manga and build as models or dolls. Whom is not beastly enough that the slips in a fursuit, a fur suit. Such suits are the Furry fans showpiece, they are often designed and tailor made for years and cost several thousand euros.

Furry fans from more than 40 countries have come

Markus Nowak takes out his smartphone from his pocket, showing photos, as he was traveling as a cat in America, as hare in Kassel. Later, they both wanted to participate in Paradenzug where costumes through the hotel all pull Fuchs explains Marko. In the previous year, in Magdeburg, one is drawn through the city, says Michael Graf, but the Estrel was too far off the beaten path.

Much ideology blows on Thursday through the hotel. Many want the artistic animal found in humans. For some it's about shamanistic philosophies or animal fetishes. Costume Bauer, puppeteer, artist and musicians from around the world were invited to Berlin to exchange ideas and present their works of art. Moreover there should be plenty of workshops and lectures. Furry fans from more than forty countries have also arrived to meet their idols. Ursula Vernon is an idol and already arrived in Berlin as guest of honor. The 37-year-old American is one of the main authors of the Furry scene. From her mind are about the "Dragon Breath" novels.

1999 found the Eurofurence way, ever held in Berlin. At that time, the Friends of the Fells Lake Müggel met in the youth village, there were only a hundred. Meanwhile, the number of participants has nearly twenty-fold.

So completely public, the Convention is not opposed. The organizers point out that the whole place with the invited visitors from the Furry community was fully booked and were, no one could fit. However, if you happen to pass stroll at the Estrel, could certainly take a look at the great fur costumes.

The Eurofurence at the Estrel Hotel, Sun Allee 225, Neukölln, until Sunday around the clock program.More info at: www.eurofurence.org