Prague, Czech Republic – August 7, 2023

The highly anticipated 13th annual Prague Pride festival, dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ individuals, commenced on Monday, August 7, bringing a week-long celebration of diversity and inclusion to the city. With a rich program of 190 events hosted at various venues across Prague, this year’s festival promises to be a vibrant and inspiring affair.

The festival’s opening ceremony took place on Shooter’s Island, lovingly referred to as the “Pride Village,” and featured an array of musical performances. The Irish musician Ailbhe Reddy headlined the opening night, followed by Norwegian DJ iDJa, blending the Sami musical tradition with disco house rhythms. Buenos Aires musician Juana Rozas treated the audience to a fusion of hyperpop, gabber, house, and Argentine folklore from her latest album Vladi. The renowned Czech DJ and promoter, Henriette, kicked off the evening.

In line with this year’s theme of “tradition,” the organizers emphasized the historical presence of LGBTQ+ people in society, challenging the notion that traditions should exclude them. To explore this theme, the festival curated a series of events that delve into the topic of tradition from various angles. For instance, a discussion titled “Inventing Traditions: the notion of tradition through the lens of social science” on August 10, led by Zora Hesova from the Faculty of Arts, delves into the evolution of social norms within society. Another lecture titled “Trans* Identity as Tradition” on August 11 explores the historical roots of trans* identities.

Beyond the grand parade, Prague Pride offers a diverse range of accompanying events catering to various interests. Notably, Hollar presents exhibitions shedding light on criminalized homosexuality worldwide, and Ukrainian artist and photographer Anthon Shebetko’s project, “We Were Here,” addresses the experiences of queer soldiers in the Ukrainian army.

Film enthusiasts can enjoy a selection of Pride Cinema screenings at Edison Filmhub, featuring films like “At the End of the World,” “Far Away,” “At Seventeen,” and “The Maid.”

Prague Pride also offers sporting events, workshops, support groups, and discussions addressing LGBTQ+ rights, fostering and adoption, partner violence, and more. Festival-goers can enjoy cabaret events, drag performances, travesti, and burlesque shows throughout the week.

The highlight of the festival will be the much-anticipated Rainbow Parade on Saturday, August 12. The parade will feature DJs stationed on “sky stags” on forklifts along the route, while Letná Plain transforms into Pride Park, hosting six music stages offering diverse musical performances.

Prague Pride serves as a powerful platform to foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance, making the city a beacon of LGBTQ+ empowerment and celebration.

Article by Prague Forum