SWEDEN TO HOST EUROPRIDE 2018


The European Pride Organisers Association has decided that Stockholm Pride and West Pride in Gothenburg will host EuroPride in both cities in summer 2018.
"We’re looking forward to a summer painted with the colors of the rainbow, with a dazzling celebration, discussion and manifesting the equal rights of all people, starting in Gothenburg in June and ending in August in Stockholm. We want to challenge the framework of what a Pride festival is. Every festival is part of a larger battle for the equal rights of all people. By collaborating with other festivals in Sweden and Europe, we’re showing that Pride and the LGBT movement are bigger than each week and city,” say Sandra Ehne, Chairperson of Stockholm Pride, and Laila Poulsen, Chairpeople of West Pride.
The summer of 2018 will be filled with joy, politics and solidarity in Sweden – and the organisers aim to challenge norms and shine a spotlight on LGBT issues and everyone’s right to love who they want and be who they are. In the spirit of collaboration and joining forces, we will place extra emphasis on international solidarity.
“It is with great joy that I welcome EuroPride 2018 to Gothenburg! The rights of LGBT individuals are human rights and human dignity is international. Together, we can make a difference in the world,” says Anneli Hulthén, Mayor of Gothenburg.
Sweden and Stockholm held EuroPride 1998 and 2008. On yet another 10 year anniversary, Sweden has yet another= opportunity to demonstrate how LGBT rights have developed in 20 years, while simultaneously carrying out the 25th EuroPride event – in what is known as one of the most open-minded countries in the world.
"Stockholm is known worldwide as an open city, and we are happy and proud to welcome EuroPride for the third time. We have the necessary capacity to hold this kind of big event, and I look forward to welcoming visitors from Sweden and the rest of the world to EuroPride 2018,” says Karin Wanngård, Commissioner of Finance in Stockholm.
In 2015, EuroPride was held in Riga. In 2016 it will be in Amsterdam and in 2017, EuroPride will stand back for World Pride, which will take place in Madrid.
