"East Germany is the new target for a TikToker, who asserts his perceived toughness by expressing his intent to influence the region."
Fjodor Busik, a 23-year-old from Thuringia, is making waves on TikTok with his unique and captivating videos. With over 20,000 subscribers on his account @fydoz.tts, Busik is part of the "Tuff in the East" trend, a social media movement that aims to challenge common stereotypes about Eastern Germany.
Busik's videos are filmed at train stations, featuring a puffer jacket, and a golden beckoning cat. The golden cat symbolizes luck, wealth, and the East for Busik. One of his videos from Bad Frankenhausen has been viewed around 260,000 times.
The "Tuff in the East" trend was started by some TikTokers from Eastern Germany a few months ago. It typically refers to a social media movement where young people from Eastern Germany showcase their local culture, resilience, and identity. They use humor, fashion, music, and local slang to display pride in their origin and to highlight the diversity and vibrancy of life in Eastern Germany.
Professor Nina Kolleck, from the University of Potsdam, observes an anti-Eastern Germany trend in many of these videos. However, she notes that the "Tuff in the East" trend plays into the hands of right-wing narratives that deliberately work with cultural division.
Despite facing some hate comments, Busik remains optimistic and brushes them off. He is often greeted with waves and positivity from children and young people. Busik responds to comments and visits all the cities he travels to.
Busik's goal is to "put Eastern Germany back on the map." He was chosen as "Miss Germany" by his sister at the beginning of the year, and his actions are inspired by his experiences of feeling like an outsider in both Germany and Kazakhstan.
Other social media users, such as Tina Goldschmidt and Olivia Schneider, are also creating attention for the East with different approaches. As the "Tuff in the East" trend continues to grow, it is clear that these young creators are making a significant impact in challenging stereotypes and showcasing the true essence of Eastern Germany.
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