From June 12 to 15, 2025 it happened again: Amsterdam Bear Pride!
It's been a great long fun weekend with lots of bear-fun events with lots of cuddling. As to be expected from bears.
One of the highlights was of course the Election of the new Mister Bear Netherlands!
Zie jij het zitten de community een jaar lang te vertegenwoordigen in binnen- en buitenland? Denk je dat je het in je hebt Arthur op te volgen? Geef je dan hier op!
On Friday June 13, 2025, the new Mr Bear Netherlands 2025 was elected: Arthur!
Hey! The name’s Arthur. I am 26, and I live in Zaanstad, north of Amsterdam.
I am originally from Belgium, but I moved to the Netherlands almost 2 years ago for love. Because of that, I am fluent in French and English and Dutch. By day, I work in the optical industry and am finishing my optician degree. By night, I give saxophone lessons, play various instruments in multiple wind bands and even conduct my own wind orchestra.
Before moving here permanently, I traveled in and out of the country regularly, making great friends in the process. I've been involved with the Dutch bear community for over five years now and the fetish scene for even longer. Two years ago I even ended up as 1st Runner-Up Mr Bear Belgium
Why did I want to become Mr Bear? I know how socials work. I also know how to reach the younger generation. Most of all, I want to help people, not only bears, but from all communities. The bear community is the faction of hugs, self-acceptance, and self-care. Our message is more than just “we are bigger, hairier and that’s okay”. It also includes “we are worthy of giving and receiving love. We are allowed to love ourselves and accept our flaws.”That is the message I want to spread to everyone.
As I said, I moved here for love. Unfortunately that didn't last and I lost my partner to substance abuse a few months later. My project as Mister Bear will be to organise charity concerts, where the proceeds would go to organizations who help people who are struggling like he was. Let me be clear: I have no problem with substance use, we have all used them. That being said: When it crosses the line from recreation to addiction, it becomes an unhealthy problem. I want to help the people who are spiraling and try to help them get it under control.
But of course there was much more to do. Here you can find the pictures
Hi dear bears, my name is Ben and I am 43 years young. I moved recently to Amsterdam, together with my partner Sebastian. I started my own company making jewelry for big men who dare to stand out.
Being your Mr Bear Netherlands 2024, I think there should be more colour and diversity in the Bear community. I am also a big proponent of self-care, both physical and mental self-care!
I hope to get to know you in the community better in the near future and am very much looking forward to representing you as Mr Bear Netherlands 2024.
Hola Amigos!!!
I’m Dany Zichem Arias Millan, better known as DanyBear, born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Fifteen years ago, I moved to the Netherlands for love, and I live with my DaddyBear Franklin in Helmond. We’ve been happily married for almost five years.
Besides working in the industry, I’m an ambassador for the Dusty Foundation, Bear model at Mr Riegillio, BLUF member #1910, and a member of the Motor Sportclub Amsterdam (MSA/ECMC).
For the past three years, I have proudly been highly visible in the Bear Community in the Netherlands and Europe. My childhood wasn’t always easy, but I fight for acceptance, tolerance, accessibility, and collaboration.
¡¡¡ TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER !!!
I’m proud and grateful to represent the Dutch Bear Community as Mr. Bear Netherlands 2023.
Saludos, Kusjes en Knuffels,
Your DanyBear
Amsterdam Bear Pride 2025 werd georganiseerd met de steun van Bear-Necessity, DirQ, Bears Amsterdam and Eagle Amsterdam, backed by various hospitality entrepreneurs.
The goal is to collectively bring more attention to the Dutch bear scene, provide a platform for other initiatives, hospitality entrepreneurs, and charities to showcase themselves to the bear community over the course of a weekend.
Bear-Necessity, DirQ, The Web Amsterdam and Eagle Amsterdam, supported by various hospitality entrepreneurs. The goal is to collectively bring more attention to the Dutch scene and provide a platform for other initiatives, hospitality entrepreneurs, and charities to showcase themselves to the bear community over the course of a weekend.
Registration will close at the end of April 2026, after which all candidates will be photographed by our in-house photographer Anton. For this we ask an afternoon of your time to make it. This photo will be used to introduce the candidates through our social media.
We also ask you to participate in a number of promotional activities, together with all other candidates, in the run-up to the elections. These will be mentioned here in due course.
Additionally, we expect you to be available for a one-hour meeting with the organization to discuss the elections—covering the rounds, the judging process, and what is expected on the big night.
If you no longer wish to participate in the election, we would of course like to hear this as soon as possible. This helps us to manage the case better. We do set a 'go-or-no-go' moment, after which your participation must be final; the moment we will be taking pictures with in-house photographer Anton. We do this because from that moment on, costs will be incurred for the photo shoot.
On the day of the photo shoot, we ask you to sign an agreement in advance in which you definitively confirm your participation and in which the use of the photos is arranged. If you withdraw as a candidate AFTER the photo shoot, the costs of this photo shoot will be charged on you.
That is completely up to you, in a way that feels most comfortable to you without crossing your own boundaries. We see candidates who try to get their message across on social media and we also see people supporting local initiatives in the flesh, visiting parties, etc. Do what feels right, and above all stay yourself.
Everyone who identifies as a man, and sees himself as part of the Bear Community is allowed to join the election.
We ask candidates to treat each other in a sporty and courteous manner, both online and offline. It's about having fun together, promoting our bear scene and the acceptance and positive vibe that comes with it.
The best-known ones on Facebook are Beertjes, Bears Amsterdam, De Bereborrel in Bears Amsterdam, Dutch Bears, Benelux Bears, Bears In Amsterdam, FurBall and Bear-Necessity.
The best-known ones on Instagram are @de.bereborrel, @furballamsterdam, @dutch bears, @bearsamsterdam, @bear.bash.party, @bear_necessity_ams
If you win, we expect you to put the Dutch Bear Scene on the map, nationally and internationally. It is the intention that you will use the 'budget' won for this. You can interpret this in your own way, and we therefore advise the winner to talk to previous winners and to hear their experiences, so that you can decide for yourself what you want and don't want. The organisation can also help with this in due course, perhaps to provide feedback on your idea, or to contribute with other advice and action.
As the winner, you will be the face of the Dutch bear scene for a year, and we ask you to represent it as such. That doesn't mean you have to wear the sash day and night, that you have to be present at every party or always have to be in PR mode. From the organisation you get free access for a year to Bear-Necessity, where we are happy to see you with your sash on.
Note that you are also in the spotlight with a sash, so bear that in mind when alcohol, sex, smoking, drugs, or other things are involved. In the darkroom, the sash is taboo.
If you are at a bear party abroad, it is customary that you only take off the sash when the host-title holder indicates that it is time to do so.
Ask yourself what you would like to achieve if you win the title. Also ask yourself what you absolutely would not want. This helps to form a picture of how you would like to interpret the title. And don't forget to ask former and current title holders, also from other communities, for their advice. They can guide you through the world of sash and titles.
No. You can do (and not do) whatever you want during the election. So you can be naked, but of course you don't have to. Keep in mind that the election is taking place in a public space, so keep it civilised.
No. We prefer to let the public vote in person during the election, by casting one vote for their favorite candidate.
Short and sweet: Yes. It might happen that a titleholder must address the press, both in writing and orally. A good level of the Dutch language is necessary (NT2). Because you ultimately also represent the Dutch Bear Scene abroad, a decent level of English is also important.
Everyone who lives in the Netherlands and feels addressed can participate. It doesn't matter whether you are from Amsterdam or, for example, from Groningen. You can also register if you have Dutch nationality and live (just) across the border. It is the intention that you feel connected to the Dutch Bear Community though. After all, you will represent the Dutch Community, and not, for example, the Belgian or German one.
Do you have more questions? Don't hesitate to ask! We will add them to this list.
Do you have a question? Drop us a line here. Or would you like to roll up your sleeves and help us during Amsterdam Bear Pride? Sign up as a volunteer!
Here they are: our five expert jury members for the Mr. Bear Netherlands 2025 Election
Meet our four fantastic candidates for the Mr Bear Netherlands 2025 election: Edwin, Martijn, Marc, and Arthur!
Click the photo to learn more.
