That Was Folsom 2020 – Or Can Kink Work with Social Distancing?

Every September, primarily gay men—along with a fair number of fetishists of other orientations—gather in Berlin to celebrate Folsom Europe. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the official street fair and the major parties were cancelled, and the official event was moved online. Yet, most participants had already booked their hotels and flights a year in advance. Consequently, there was still a significant influx of visitors to Berlin, and numerous smaller events turned this year's Folsom into a truly special experience!

First, let’s look at the livestream. The team took on a massive undertaking, broadcasting for a total of 32 hours. The stream featured live appearances by representatives of the scene, politicians, activists, performers, and titleholders, as well as companies, clubs, and organizations from across Germany and beyond. Live cut-ins to various other events taking place simultaneously in Berlin helped liven up the studio atmosphere (more on that later). There were also video greetings from around the world—which anyone could submit—alongside bondage and fetish videos. A live DJ stream ran concurrently throughout the event, bringing that party vibe right into people's living rooms. The livestream reached a total of 10,000 viewers worldwide, and far more views are expected as the content is shared on Facebook and YouTube over the coming weeks; the footage is currently being edited and adapted for social media platforms. Alain Rappsilber, board member of Folsom e.V., commented: "We were very pleased with how the livestream turned out, though we were disappointed by the viewers' willingness to donate. It is difficult to sustain such activities in the long run with just under €500 in contributions. Nevertheless, we will definitely continue next year and hope for better times ahead!"

In addition to the online events, there were numerous smaller gatherings and outdoor parties. For instance, the "B:east Folsom Special" took place on Friday at the Magdalena Club—held outdoors and strictly adhering to coronavirus regulations, including social distancing measures. It kicked off in the afternoon, and—as planned—the event wrapped up early, too. A total of 700 people took part. The subsequent "Revolver Party," however, was broadcast via livestream directly from the KitKat Club. Naturally, there were fetish performances to keep the crowd’s energy high, alongside the fantastic DJs.

The local scene bars were packed, as always. Proprietors had prepared appropriate hygiene protocols, and the weather allowed for plenty of outdoor activity. The venues were full, yet social distancing was consistently maintained. Feedback from guests indicated they were having a great time and were able to enjoy Folsom despite the restrictions. I didn't hear a single real complaint; presumably, anyone who might have complained simply didn't go out, or at least didn't cross paths with me while I was conducting interviews.

Pic by CommuniGAYtion

Kink and fetish are, of course, always part of Folsom. It was definitely one of the more intense events this year. However, the "Guerrilla Bondage" action organized by gay-BDSM.club really made a statement. Around 30 to 40 bondage enthusiasts gathered and moved through the streets of Schöneberg. At several stops, "rope subs" were tied to street signs, lampposts, barred shop windows, and similar structures. Naturally, rules regarding registration, physical distancing, and mandatory masks (when with partners from outside one's own household) applied, and efforts were made to prevent crowds of spectators from forming. Since the event took place in a public space, great care was taken to maintain public decency; it was conducted purely as a visibility campaign—even though everyone involved had a lot of fun.

Folsom is always about art, too. This year featured a very special exhibition by Prideart—the "unbound" vernissage—showcasing works by 30 local and international artists. A large outdoor area was set up, while the exhibition rooms were limited to a maximum of 15 masked visitors at a time. Alongside a wide array of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and video art, there was a small dance floor with a DJ (where the music was paused whenever the crowd became too tightly packed) and live performances—including "Kinky in Wonderland," featuring bondage and live vocals. Strict attention was paid to compliance with all coronavirus regulations and hygiene protocols throughout the event. The success of this approach was demonstrated by the fact that a case of infection identified after the event did not lead to any further transmissions.

Images via Talisim

To top it all off, a special version of the tea gathering—"Tea Time in the Park"—took place on Sunday. This fetish picnic featured bondage, games for pet players, and various shows that contributed to the cheerful atmosphere. Naturally, measures such as picnic blankets, social distancing rules, and registration requirements were in place. And so, a somewhat different Folsom came to a close, filled with fun and high spirits.

Photos by Puppy Blümchen

In summary, it is fair to say that things were completely different this year. We finally saw many friends and familiar faces again, though there were some we missed. The additional rules didn't make things any easier. Spectators stayed away, yet the good feeling of being proud of one's fetish remained. And so, we now look ahead—fueled by positive emotions, anticipation, and longing—to the upcoming events awaiting us, hopefully under better circumstances in 2021.