Eurofurence

Eurofurence (commonly abbreviated EF) is a furry convention held in changing places in Europe every year (in Berlin, Germany since 2014 and will remain there for the time being). It was originally started in 1995 as a private gathering by nineteen European furry fans who met on the Internet. Attendance has been steadily rising since then, to 2804 at Eurofurence 23 (held in 2017), making it the largest furry convention outside the United States. The name of the convention derives from its American back-then-counterpart ConFurence, emphasising the European nature of the gathering.

Eurofurence
Statusactive
GenreFurry
Begins19 August 2020 (2020-08-19)
Ends23 August 2020 (2020-08-23)
Frequencyannually
VenueEstrel Hotel
Location(s)Berlin, Germany
Coordinates52°28′25″N 13°27′33″E
CountryGermany
Inaugurated30 June 1995 (1995-06-30)
Attendance3419 (Eurofurence 25)
Organised byEurofurence e.V.
Websitewww.eurofurence.org

Since the year 2000, Eurofurence is no longer organized by individual persons but rather by the German Verein Eurofurence e.V., which serves as an administrative body for the convention.

Contrary to most American furry conventions, Eurofurence traditionally took place at youth hostels. In 2007, Eurofurence was first held at a hotel (the Hotel Ringberg in Suhl).

Locations, Themes, and Guests of Honour

Fursuiters at Eurofurence 2014

Below is a table of statistics regarding each year Eurofurence has been held. Since 1999 (possibly except for 6 and 9), the convention has had at least one guest of honour yearly. Since 2002, the convention has had a "theme" every year, with T-shirt designs and venue "dressing" to reflect the theme.

ConventionDatesLocationThemeGuest(s) of Honour
Eurofurence 1 30 June–3 July 1995Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog, Schleswig-Holstein, GermanyN/AN/A
Eurofurence 2 18–22 July 1996Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden
Eurofurence 3 21–24 August 1997Bodstedt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany[1]
Eurofurence 4 1–5 August 1998Heeze, North Brabant, Netherlands
Eurofurence 5 22–25 July 1999Berlin, GermanyLisanne Norman, author of the Sholan Alliance series of books
Eurofurence 6 10–13 August 2000Göttingen, Lower Saxony, GermanyUnknown
Eurofurence 7 22–25 July 2001Kirchen (Sieg), Rhineland-Palatinate, GermanyLisanne Norman; Lee "Chairo" Strom, Fursuiter, Puppeteer, and member of the Further Confusion organising team since 2003; Mark Merlino, co-founder of ConFurence, the original Furry Convention
Eurofurence 8 15–18 August 2002Oberbernhards, Hesse, GermanyThe F.I.A. (Furry Intelligence Agency)Dr Samuel "Uncle Kage" Conway, Chairman of Anthrocon
Eurofurence 9 21–24 August 2003Samopše, Středočeský kraj, Czech RepublicCunning Little VixensUnknown
Eurofurence 10[lower-alpha 1] 26–29 August 2004Olpe, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyEFX : The MovieTimothy Albee, Creator of Kaze: Ghost Warrior
Eurofurence XI 21–24 July 2005Nürnberg, Bavaria, GermanySongs of the Old AgesHeather Alexander, Celtic Folk/World Rock Musician
Eurofurence 12 23–27 August 2006The Hounds of Blackwhite CastleDark Natasha, furry artist, winner of Best Anthropomorphic Published Illustration at the Ursa Major Awards in 2002
Eurofurence 13 5–9 September 2007Suhl, Thuringia, Germany[2][3][4] The Unlucky ThirteenLance Ikegawa, costume designer and Steve Gallacci, Creator of Albedo.[lower-alpha 2] Alexander James Adams appeared as musical guest.[5]
Eurofurence 14 27–31 August 2008From Dusk till DawnWatts Martin, writer and fanzine editor/publisher, and Steve Gallacci.[6]
Eurofurence 15 26–30 August 20091001 Arabian NightsJimmy Chin, furry artist and fursuiter
Eurofurence 16 1–5 September 2010Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, GermanySerengetiStan Sakai, comic author, creator of Usagi Yojimbo
Eurofurence 17 17–21 August 2011Kung Fur HustleJim Martin, a distinguished Puppeteer
Eurofurence 18 29 August–2 September 2012Animalia RomanaPeter S. Beagle, novel and fantasy fiction author, creator of The Last Unicorn[7]
Eurofurence 19 21–25 August 2013Aloha Hawaii!Warrick Brownlow-Pike, Andy Heath and Iestyn Evans from the BBC comedy "Mongrels"[8]
Eurofurence 20 20–24 August 2014Berlin, GermanyCSI Berlin[9]Kyell Gold, Ursula Vernon, Sofawolf Press and Sardyuon[10]
Eurofurence 21 19–23 August 2015Greenhouse World[11]Rhubarb the Bear and Cosmik[12]
Eurofurence 22 17–21 August 2016Back to the 80s[13]Dorothy Hearst,[14] Author of The Wolf Chronicles book trilogy
Eurofurence 23 16–20 August 2017Ancient Egypt[15]Pepper Coyote (Musician) and Clockwork Creature (costume and design studio)[16]
Eurofurence 24 22–26 August 2018Aviators - Conquer the Sky[17]Joaquin Baldwin (Animator, photographer)[18]
Eurofurence 25 14–18 August 2019Fractures in Time[19]Claudya 'AlectorFencer' Schmidt,[20] Author of Myre
Eurofurence 26 Cancelled[21]
(Originally 19–23 August 2020)
Welcome to Tortuga[22]N/A
  1. commonly called EFX by the organisation committee
  2. Steve Gallacci was unable to attend the convention due to family matters.

Main events

  • Pawpet show - Furry handpuppet story with custom plot, music and effects
  • Enter the Arena - Fursuit dance contest
  • Big Blue Dance - Disco with live DJ, light effects and live mixed background animations
  • Group Photo
  • Fursuit parade
  • Art Auction - Bidding for art
  • Dealers' Den - Possibility to sell/buy merchandise and art
  • DDR Tournament

References

  1. Staff writer (23 August 1997). "Internet-Fans treffen sich in Bodstedt". Ostsee-Zeitung (in German).
  2. Frank Hommel (8 September 2007). "Mit 'nem Tiger im Fahrstuhl". Freies Wort (in German). p. 2. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009.
  3. Heike Hüchtemann (8 September 2007). "Rollenspiele abseits des wirklichen Lebens". Freies Wort (in German). p. 13. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009.
  4. Staff writer (8 September 2007). "Eine Welt für sich". Thüringer Allgemeine (in German).
  5. Conference Guests page (2007).
  6. Conference Guests page (2008).
  7. Guest of Honor (2012).
  8. Guests of Honor (2013)
  9. [email protected]. "Eurofurence 20 - Crime Scene Berlin - Aug. 20. - 24., 2014". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  10. [email protected]. "Guests of Honor". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  11. [email protected]. "Eurofurence 21 - Greenhouse World (Aug. 19 - 23, 2015)". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  12. [email protected]. "Our Guests of Honor - Eurofurence 21". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  13. [email protected]. "Eurofurence 22 - Back to the 80s". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  14. [email protected]. "Guests of Honor - Eurofurence 22". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  15. [email protected]. "Eurofurence 23 - Ancient Egypt". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  16. [email protected]. "Guests of Honor - Eurofurence 23". www.eurofurence.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  17. [email protected]. "Eurofurence 24 »Aviators - Conquer the Sky!«". Eurofurence 24 - Aviators - Conquer the Sky!. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  18. [email protected]. "Guest of Honor: Joaquin Baldwin". Eurofurence 24 - Aviators - Conquer the Sky!. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  19. [email protected]. "Welcome". Eurofurence 25 - Fractures In Time. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  20. [email protected]. "EF25 Hella Lots to Talk About!". Eurofurence 25 Schedule. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  21. @Eurofurence (30 April 2020). "Friends, it is with deep regret that we must announce the cancellation of Eurofurence for 2020. We did not come to this decision lightly: the safety of our attendees, staff, hotel personnel and many others is paramount..." (Tweet) via Twitter.
  22. [email protected]. "Welcome". Eurofurence 26 - Welcome to Tortuga. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
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