A convention of furry costume enthusiasts turned out to be a delightful surprise for Syrian refugees staying at the same hotel in Metro Vancouver.
The fifth annual VancouFur was held at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel in Richmond last week, attracting more than 800 "furries" — people fascinated by animal characters with human characteristics. They gathered to share stories and entertain members of an oft-misunderstood community.
Did you know #Vancouver has a big "furry fandom" crowd? @VancouFUR convention this wknd https://t.co/ZgxG6NY2Wv pic.twitter.com/icjpH9i6Uw
— Larissa Cahute (@larissacahute) March 3, 2016
Organizers warned attendees that the hotel was also temporary housing for Syrian refugees.
They said refugees "likely will not want to interact with you and consent is important for everyone."
Culture shock much? Some Syrian newcomers are staying at a hotel where the #VancouFur furry convention is going on. pic.twitter.com/rPi6HN72Lz
— Ziya Tong (@ziyatong) March 8, 2016
But VancouFurries found precisely the opposite when they ran into the Syrian kids.
#furries and Syrian refugees! What a surprise for them xD #vancoufur pic.twitter.com/V6GxTVC0d2
— JayCat (@JayTweet) March 7, 2016
Photos on social media show them having a grand time hanging out with the furries.
@ziyatong I was there! The refugees loved us, children especially. I'm glad we made their transition to Canada fun. pic.twitter.com/YjNRMRLZVZ
— Dray (@LiveitRivet) March 8, 2016
#furries and Syrian refugees at @VancouFUR pic.twitter.com/ZAP5t2rSPF
— JayCat (@JayTweet) March 7, 2016
Longtime furry Chris Jantz told the New York Daily News that a bus full of refugees arrived to check in to the hotel on the last day of the convention.
Right away, the kids gravitated to the furries.
"They saw people in giant animal costumes. To the children they were just cartoons from stuff like 'Yo Gabba Gabba!,' etc., and they wanted to say hi,” Jantz said.
Some refugees even took part in a "final dance" at the event.
#VancouFur welcomes Syrian refugees to Canada (PHOTOS) https://t.co/RlPCdijZEy pic.twitter.com/Bw9r6OCmrx
— RT (@RT_com) March 10, 2016
@pathhyena @VancouFUR @expressfur
— Furnal Equinox Lynx (@Jinxthelynx) March 8, 2016
Done we made there day <3 pic.twitter.com/upwmwQEvQf
Canada has taken in over 26,000 refugees as a civil war continues to rage in Syria.
While that has created some political controversy, this group of refugees received a warm and fuzzy welcome.
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