’Freedom’ the theme for return of Copenhagen Pride in August

Photo: Jessica van der Boor

Three months from today, Copenhagen will once again be awash with rainbows and be a beacon for LGBTI+ equality in Denmark and worldwide, as Copenhagen Pride returns in full with ‘freedom’ as the theme.

From 13-21 August, Rådhuspladsen will be transformed into an inclusive, welcoming meeting place with food vendors, community stalls, bars, two performance areas and – on 19 and 20 August – a stage for the Drag Night and Pride Night concerts. On Saturday 20 August the Copenhagen Pride Parade will return, starting at Frederiksberg Rådhus and making its way via Pile Allé, Frederiksberg Allé and Vesterbrogade to Rådhuspladsen in Copenhagen.

Although the corona pandemic forced organisers to change their plans for WorldPride in 2021, organisers say that they have retained some of the elements of the event that worked well, including a refreshed use of Rådhuspladsen. The Human Rights program will feature more than 50 debates and discussions at the Rainbow Tent on Rainbow Square, at Vartov and in Copenhagen City Hall. 

An extensive Culture Program will include many of the Copenhagen cultural institutions who ran events during WorldPride, and specific programs for Rainbow Families and for Young People will also be included this year. The full program will be published at the beginning of July.

Main partners from the world of business are Netto, Somersby, Flügger, hummel, Nordic Choice Hotels and 7-Eleven, with many smaller Copenhagen-based brands also showing their support. The Copenhagen Pride support wristband will go on sale nationwide in 7-Eleven and Matas next month.

Lars Henriksen,  political chair of Copenhagen Pride, said:

“We are so happy that Copenhagen Pride 2022 blends the very best elements of Pride from 2019 and before, with the best parts of our pandemic Pride in 2020 and WorldPride in 2021. As we evolve as people, as our communities evolve, so Pride evolves and we are very proud of the richness and diversity of this year’s program. LGBTI+ people all over the world noticed Copenhagen for the first time because of WorldPride, and we will continue our efforts to make sure we are known, and our city is known, as a global beacon for equality.”

Commenting on the ‘freedom’ theme, Lars said:

“Whether we are marking the freedom to live openly in Denmark, or the freedom sought by the brave people of Ukraine, Syria or Yemen, or indeed the freedom we want so much for LGBTI+ people living in the 70+ countries where homosexuality is still illegal, the Freedom theme allows everyone to use Copenhagen Pride as a platform to show what freedom means to them – whether they have freedom, or long for it.”

Copenhagen Pride is volunteer-led and the organisation are keen to hear from people who would like to contribute their time to the event. Roles are available in various areas including bars, stewarding, hospitality, volunteer care, and backstage.