© vvg-koeln.de
The event is organised by the Bartmänner Köln, founded in 1984, making it the oldest bear association in the world. The first public meeting took place at the 1986 carnival and, over the years, the small, cosy bear meetings have become huge events.
During “Bear Week”, visitors can expect seven days of pure bear feeling: Alongside the Butch&Bear Disco, a Bear Night with the election of Mr. Bear Germany, a Bear Sauna and the Bear Boat Party, there are also other disco events, dinners, shopping events and city crawls to enjoy.
In 2007 more than 5,000 visitors travelled to the cathedral city for this event. The “younger” brother of the big Bear Week is the Bear XXL Cologne, held for and entire weekend in early May. This is the time when Cologne shows itself off as a German bear metropolis, with the weekend’s finale being the Rhine Cruising Party.
Throughout the year, the Bartmänner Köln association and Cologne’s bear scene also welcome visitors to numerous smaller bear events. For more information go to www.bearscologne.de and www.bearpride.de
