Antwerp Pride 11-15 August 2021 again without parade or major events

The fourteenth edition of Antwerp Pride, which will take place in 2021 from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 August, will be without the major public events. The organization is preparing a pride with smaller initiatives that focus on the message.

Last summer, Antwerp Pride already came up with an alternative program and the following summer the organization is also preparing a program without a major Antwerp Pride Parade, Love United Festival and Closing Festival.

Realism

The organization wants to avoid making plans that may not be realized in the context of the pandemic.

“Together with everyone, we hope that the summer of 2021 will be better than the summer of last year. But there is still too little guarantee that we will be able to celebrate Pride at full speed this summer”, says Antwerp Pride chairman Bart Abeel.

“Our organisation is fully supported by volunteers and organizing a big Pride takes time. We have to start now, but we do not yet know whether we will be able to bring 100,000 people together in August. We also have very loyal sponsors, whom we are very grateful, but it is also difficult for them to make forecasts for the coming months.”

Alternatives

The organisation will therefore develop a program with smaller initiatives. Last year, the annual festival for the LGBTQI community also came up with an alternative program. There was a ‘Trail of Stories‘ – a walking route along thirteen portraits of Antwerp residents – an exhibition in the M HKA and the focus was mainly on digital with Antwerp Pride TV.

“That was successful and much appreciated. Last year we had to come up with an alternative program at the eleventh hour. Now we can take the time to further investigate and improve the tracks we set last summer. In any case, we will make it a vibrant, joyful and meaningful pride again.”

The theme of Antwerp Pride 2021 will be announced at the end of January. In 2019, Antwerp Pride attracted 150,000 visitors to the city.