The BWM Recap of Bear Pride Cologne 2024

Alex Fortes, Mr. LisbonBearProde 2024, shares his experience at the recent Bear Pride Cologne event that took place late last year. He describes the event and the subsequent criticism it received, as all bear runs do and why he will be returning to Bear Pride Cologne next year.

Do we still want this event? That’s the question Bartmänner Köln, the organizers of Mr. Bear Germany, posed recently after receiving some online criticism. And what finally pushed me to write about this experience, something I was hesitant to do because despite the great time I had, I did feel some underlying tensions, and I can’t share the full picture as a local would. Best I can do, as always, is offer you my perspective as a visitor.

Welcome to Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city, dressed in festive lights and a bit chilly—it’s late November, after all. Luckily, The 3B Bar is packed with warm, cuddly bears for Thursday’s main event, the candidates’ introduction. While we have drinks with old and new friends, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present the candidates, who had already been campaigning for online votes in the preceding weeks.

I missed earlier activities like readings by author Christian Huyeng (also Mr. Fetish NRW 2023) and artist Ralf König, but there is still plenty to do the following days. Friday’s schedule is a good example: from sauna visits and shopping sprees to a Christmas market stroll, not far from Cologne’s famous Gothic cathedral. The Tram Museum is part of the program as well. Even for brief visit, just for this event, you can get a good taste of the city’s charm.

As night falls, it’s time to crown the new Mr. Bear Germany at Club Volta, located about 30 minutes from the 3B Bar by public transport. Getting around without speaking German isn’t much trouble, but in this case, we opted for a ridesharing app that didn’t break the bank. (By the way, some places don’t take contactless payments, so make sure to carry some Euros with you, just in case.)

The venue is worth the trek: a spacious club with a large bar, a pretty big stage, and a decor style reminiscent of a cathedral, complete with colorful stained-glass windows and a long wood bench on the side. And art as well! Herzfarbenrausch had a stand there, so I took the chance to buy some prints and a bear calendar.

The international jury introduced the candidates in their respective languages (I was thrilled to spot some Portuguese bears in the crowd!), and these were submitted to a quick interview on stage before the audience was invited to choose their favorite. While the votes were tallied, Lana Delicious and Pascale Petersdottír took the stage for some great beats and a fantastic musical show. In the end, it was a nail-biter—a mere 1% separated first and third place. Incredibly close!

It’s hard to believe that after such a big night, we still have Saturday and it comes packed with lots of fun; starting with a hearty brunch at Haptilu Café, a cozy spot with friendly staff and great food. Babylon Sauna awaits for anyone needing relaxation. Afterwards, join the bears for a spin on Heumarkt’s ice rink. Maybe another sauna visit later? Phoenix is open….

Maybe swing by The 3B Bar when you are ready for the night, where the newly crowned Mr. Bear Germany and his Vice greet guests as they hop on the shuttle bus to the Pipe Party at Bogen. The venue spans two floors, offering distinct music styles, and both were filled to the brim with bears from all over. One of the highlights of the night for me was dancing to the setlist by DJ Andy RX, the previous Mr. Bear Germany, who made the pop and dance floor buzz with energy. On the electronic main floor we also had DJs Max del Principe, Maik Conrath and RML.

Sunday comes, and with it, a farewell gathering at The 3B Bar. Don’t let the “it’s the final day” vibe fool you though: as every previous day of the event, you have sauna sessions at Babylon and Phoenix, and some cruising at Pullermanns. You know, for those “last-minute souvenirs.”

It was a memorable event, I can see why so many bears flock to it every year. But then, why are the organizers under fire? Well, no event can please everyone, we already know that, and there’s always room for improvement. As a community grows, and especially when it organizes an event as big as a Mr. Bear Germany election, some friction is bound to happen. There are people who genuinely want to change things for the better, but division also attracts individuals eager to fan the flames for their own interests, leaving the ashes for others to clean up.

In my early 20s, I kept eyeing a bear event in my hometown that sadly was left without organizers before I worked up the courage to join. I found my community abroad years later, but I feel I missed out so much meanwhile. Even small events make a difference. I’ve met many bear event organizers since, and burnout is a recurring theme. We spend hard-earned money to attend, true, but it’s easy to forget these are often passion projects, not commercial ventures.

We may not always see eye to eye with some organizers, indeed. There should be space for constructive criticism, and Bartmänner Köln seems keen on that, as they’re asking for suggestions and offering open dialogue and transparency. But support and understanding are needed as well if we want to keep our local communities alive, especially at a time when it feels like we are being chased away from social platforms.

An event to choose a Mr. Bear is a way to celebrate those local communities, to connect with other ones and, sometimes (let me be corny here), to find inspiration. Seeing an introvert friend become Mr. BearScots 2023 encouraged me to give it a try. Most misters I met so far have been nothing but friendly, selfless, and great ambassadors for their respective communities (so much so that they’re ruining my travel budget!).

On that regard, Germany couldn’t go wrong this year, and I understand why so many people were so passionate about their favorite candidates. They didn’t need a sash to make an impact—their stories and projects already stand out. But participating in bear events gives a chance to share and connect with the community on a bigger scale. You can learn more about Dennis, the winner, in his interview with BWM. Meanwhile, Sergio (the Vice) and Marius are planning to launch a podcast that will surely spotlight not only their journeys but also many more bears and their experiences. Follow them for updates—I’m looking forward to it!

Whether it’s for connection, visibility, or simply to enjoy a weekend surrounded by hot bears, we need events like these. They remind us how much we thrive when we come together. That’s my answer to Bartmänner Köln’s question, from a visitor’s point of view: I want more of this event, and I will be back next time. If you would like to visit Cologne yourself, their Bear Pride is a great time to enjoy a Winter wonderland, with festive lights, a storybook-like Christmas market, and even an ice rink in the program. And a welcoming local bear community to keep you warm!